10 Ways to Prevent Cancer: Safeguarding Your Family's Health

When you first hear the word “cancer”, what is instilled in you? Perhaps it’s fear, despair, or even sadness. Cancer, such a simple word is capable of wiping the smile off your face. You probably don’t know what to do or react if you or any of your loved ones have cancer.

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow out of control and spread to various parts of your body. Back in January 2024, news from The Star revealed that National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) managing director Dr M. Murallitharan said that there is a concerning rise in cancer diagnoses among adults under the age of 50 in Malaysia.

It is hard to sugarcoat the fact that there is no cure for cancer, and it is one of the most common causes of death globally. The good news is, however, there are ways to help reduce your risk of getting cancer. You can share these tips with your loved ones, too.

What are the signs and symptoms of cancer?

You should not ignore any new and concerning symptoms despite them not leading to the possibility of you having cancer. It is still crucial to get yourself checked by a GP to receive a proper diagnosis. Early detection of cancer indicates that your condition is easier to treat, which is a good sign for you. If your GP suspects that you have cancer, they will recommend you to a specialist.

Feeling tired and unwell
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Lumps
Pain
Breathlessness (Dyspnea)

What are the risk factors of cancer?

Anything that increases an individual's risk of getting cancer is a cancer risk factor, but most risk factors do not directly and automatically cause cancer. Some individuals who have a few risk factors do not have cancer, but some others with no known risk factors end up getting cancer.

Knowing your risk factors is crucial, and be open to your doctor while discussing them. Doctors can use this valuable piece of information to help you make medical and lifestyle choices to improve your health.

General risk factors for cancer include:

Age
A personal or family history of cancer
Using tobacco
Overweight or obesity
Some types of viral infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and the hepatitis virus
Exposure to specific chemicals
Exposure to radiation, including ultraviolet radiation from the sun

How do I prevent myself from getting cancer?

You may be surprised– many tips to reduce your risk of developing cancer start with you. There is no harm in embracing these lifestyle changes. Sure, the changes may be challenging to adapt during the start, but the positive results toward your health will be worth it in the end.

Here are the 10 ways to help you in preventing the development of cancer:

Avoid tobacco: Tobacco in any form, even exposure to secondhand smoke should be avoided at all costs.
Eat properly: You should consume lesser saturated fat and red meat, as these foods may increase your risk of colon cancer and a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. You should eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead.
Exercise regularly: Engaging in physical activity is associated with a lower risk of colon cancer. Exercising also appears to help lower a woman's risk of breast and potentially reproductive cancers. Even if you don't lose weight, exercising will still help protect your health.
Stay lean: Obesity contributes to and increases your risk of many types of cancer. The amount of calories matters, if you are looking to shed some weight, consuming fewer calories and burning the extra calories off with exercise can help you in your weight loss journey.
Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure: Medical imaging studies should only be done if necessary. Checking your home for residential radon is important as it increases your risk of getting lung cancer. Shielding yourself from ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is essential, as it also elevates the risk of melanomas and other skin cancers. However, luckily, rest assured that electromagnetic radiation from high-voltage power lines or radiofrequency radiation from microwaves and cell phones does not lead to the development of cancer.
Avoid exposure to industrial and environmental toxins: Stay away from asbestos fibers, benzene, aromatic amines, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Avoid infections: Infections that are transmitted sexually or through sharing needles, such as hepatitis viruses, HIV, and the human papillomavirus, play a significant role in causing cancer.
Prioritise quality sleep: While the evidence associating sleep with cancer is not strong, increased poor and insufficient sleep is linked to weight gain, which is a risk factor for cancer.
Be safe from sunlight exposure: Your risk of getting skin cancer increases if you are overexpose yourself to the sun, as excessive UV radiation from the sun or sunbeds damages our skin cells. Some methods to protect our skin from the sun include seeking shade when the sun is strongest, covering up your skin with clothing, and applying sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.

Cancer prevention starts with you and me. By making subtle changes in your lifestyle, you are already a step ahead in preventing cancer! Aside from making lifestyle changes, one should also think about the financial impact in the event of a cancer diagnosis. From high medical costs to potential income loss, it is important to seek for proper financial protection to get yourself covered.

What if we told you that we offer takaful provide takaful coverage for a type of cancer treatment with promising results? With genomic testing, cancer patients can now obtain a more accurate cancer diagnosis. Cancer patients can anticipate enhanced treatment outcomes and will financially find peace of mind through this collaboration.

Introducing Precision Medicine, which works by testing a cancer patient’s tumour to see its response to various treatments. Everyone’s bodies react differently, which leads to doctors choosing the most compatible treatment to target the genes that cause the growth and survival of cancer cells. Although Precision Treatment is new, it exhibits promising potential for enhanced outcomes, thanks to cancer Genomic Testing and targeted therapy.

Yes, Precision Medicine is currently available in our list of covered cancer treatments! Its benefits include offering a more accurate diagnosis for your cancer type, fewer side effects, and a higher chance of recovery. This option provides you with more control and confidence in your path to recovery.

For example, you may consider the AnugerahMax, where you can secure lifelong protection and top-notch medical treatment, with the flexibility to tailor your plan with different benefits according to your needs.

The plan includes both medical and critical illness coverage. For medical coverage, the Medic TotalCare rider is one of our most comprehensive medical plan that provides extensive cancer coverage as well as additional limit for advanced medical treatments.

As for critical illness coverage, the Crisis TotalCare provides total and comprehensive critical illness protection from early to late stage, with a lump sum payment benefit in the event you are diagnosed with a critical illness such as cancer.

Your health matters, leave the finances to us instead.

Want to find out more about our cancer plans? Leave your details below for us to contact you for a quick consultation.

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