Most Canadians have been affected by cancer in some way. In fact, two in five Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. Cancer is a complex disease, and many factors affect whether someone develops it or not. There’s nothing that can guarantee prevention, but there are a few things you can do to help manage some of your risk.
Get your screenings
There are several cancer-screening programs in our provinces and territories. Taking part in routine screenings as recommended by your health care provider will help ensure cancer is detected in earlier stages when it is usually much easier to treat. Common cancer screenings include mammograms for breast cancer, the PSA test for prostate cancer or a colonoscopy to look for pre-cancerous polyps or colorectal cancer.
Consider your health
We all know smoking is bad for us and getting enough exercise is important for good health and wellbeing. But did you know they are considered modifiable risk factors for cancer? Research from the Canadian Cancer Society shows that these are some of the few risk factors for cancer that we can do something about, unlike age, family history or random chance.
Test for radon
Risks for cancer can also be environmental, such as air quality. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that’s present in most buildings in the country. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. It’s worth testing the level in your home to make sure that it’s under Health Canada’s guideline. You can buy an easy do-it-yourself test kit or hire a certified professional. If your home’s level is high, fixing it is easy and less expensive than updating your furnace or air conditioner.
