Healthy Eating

When it comes to cancer risk factors; ALL RISK FACTORS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. Someone may have several risk factors and another may have only one or none, yet end up with breast cancer or other cancers.

Our best weapon in fighting breast cancer like all cancers is EARLY DETECTION and the statistics really speak volumes.

Statistics that make you cringe

• “A total of one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide every three minutes”. About two people will have been diagnosed with breast cancer  by the time you finish bathing today
• In 2020, there were 684,996 deaths from breast cancer globally. (WHO, 2021). Note that this includes men.
• “Breast cancer is the second commonest cancer among women in Ghana. It accounts for 15 per cent of all cancers and 40 per cent of female cancers in Ghana”
• “Majority of breast cancer cases in Ghana are between the ages of 40 – 49 years”
• In Ghana, breast cancer accounted for 31.8 per cent of cancer incidence. It is more common to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in African countries, when compared with Western countries, as evidenced by around 70 per cent of women being initially diagnosed in Ghana with advanced breast cancer.

It is also important to extend a helping hand to help cure those diagnosed but who cannot afford treatment, support through information dissemination and emotional support to cope with the diagnoses and side effects of treatment. Take a stand today and if you do not have any ideas you may contact the Cancer Society.

Together we can all work to reduce the incidence of advanced breast cancer.

October has a lot of traction when it comes to breast cancer awareness and it is important that awareness creation continues. Let us look at steps or risk factors for all cancers in general not just for breast cancer. Email us with your additions and let us build a great CANCER PREVENTION ROAD MAP;

TEN (10) TIPS TO CANCER PREVENTION/RISK REDUCTION

1. Weight Control – being overweight or obese increases risk to SEVERAL cancers
2. Smoking – cigarette smoking predisposes one to several cancers including lung cancer. Other forms of air pollutants serve as risks too
3. Alcohol – limit intake or avoid.
4. Healthy Eating
   1. Limit intake of processed food and sugar
   1. Limit intake of red meat
   1. Fruits and vegetables should be a mainstay of our diet
   1. An antioxidant rich food like Cocoa should be part of our food. The purer the cocoa, the better
   1. Fibre in your food is crucial
5. Exercise – on its own reduces risk.
   1. Also increases immunity
6. Cancer Screening – be regular so cancers can be detected early
7. Vaccinations – take vaccines where needed e.g. Hep B vaccine or Vaccine against HPV
8. Know your Family History
   1. Anyone in family with a cancer?
   1. Start your family early and breast feed for as long as possible
9. Check exposure to Ultraviolet Light and other forms of radiation
10. Practise SAFE SEX

ALWAYS remember that CANCER PREVENTION HAS NO QUICK FIX – we need to follow these points over and over.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd/Mobissel

(www.healthessentialsgh.com)

*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling the Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

Thought for the week – “Screening saves lives. When detected early the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99 per cent.”

References:

1. www.medicinenet.com/breast_cancer
2. Mosby’s Ace the Boards
3. www.mayoclinic.com
4. Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth