To ask how else I can reduce risk of cancer ?

[iloveshetlandponies]

I just recently had a minor cancer scare and - thank god - after a long wait I've just found out that I'm okay. But I am absolutely terrified of it . I know one in two get it in their life time and that stat is beyond fucking depressing . I realise some cancers are sheer bad luck and nothing you can do. But I know some is lifestyle related etc

so want to try my absolute hardest to minimise my personal risk

This is what I do already

Intermittent fasting (16:8 but I try and aim for 18:6)

Eat at least 5 different fruit and veg a day (I need to eat way more I know)

I run most days for at least half an hour plus do other exercise

I don't smoke ever (Altho I did used to gave up 15 years ago at 29)

I very rarely drink alcohol

Always have smears when due and check my breasts monthly or so and keep an eye on any moles

Keep slim (8 stone 7 and 5 foot 2)

Always wear spf50 (on my face every single day) and any exposed bits of my body between say May and September

And - Don't laugh - but very cold showers at the end of each shower as it's meant to boost immunity (it defo wakes me up at least!)

I also, luckily, have no family history that I'm aware of

Does anyone else do this ? Or am I weird. And if there's any drs / nutritionists / scientists on here can anyone suggest anything else ?

Ah, ignore my post, I googled!

It seems to be the case, but appears higher than previously since the tracking was underestimated, from what i can make out. I am very, very crap with numbers.

A great link here for anyone interested, includes info about which cancer's have dropped over time and which (in industrial countries) have risen.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26912-new-one-in-two-cancer-figure-sounds-scarier-than-it-is/

Great article @HelloShupa . Particularly this part should help op put her worries into perspective.
People are dying less and less from other diseases and are therefore more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, says Soerjomataram.

This confuses me as well 😳😳

Get some cbt therapy to avoid over thinking it.
Stress could make you not pay attention crossing the road..

But part of her 'lifestyle' was that she hadn't gestated or lactated. Breasts are designed to spend years of your life lactating. If you don't use your body for what it was designed for then the risk of it malfunctioning increases.

Not everyone has a choice when it comes to having children. I didn’t. And you should only have children if you want them. Not in case you get cancer.

@iloveshetlandponies and @nothingcomestonothing thank you for your good wishes.

I'd geniunly rather get ran over by a bus and die suddenly 😂

Joking aside not really joking tbh I'm having counselling and one of the reasons is health anxiety so I'm hoping it will help

@iloveshetlandponies I'll tell you something, getting cancer completely cured my health anxiety! So that's one positive! 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have had 3dc and breastfed none of them 😢

I was young and simply didn't want to. I found the idea icky andI know that sounds awful but just couldn't bring myself to.
But I really do wish someone had have told me I could reduce my breast cancer risk then I may have persevered

Did it ??? How come ?

That's good though I'm glad it did x

@iloveshetlandponies Breast feeding does reduce overall risk, yes. That's been known for a long time. However I met a lady when I was having treatment who had long term breastfed each of her six children and still got it. Again, so many complicated factors at play.

Eat a whole food plant based vegan diet.

@iloveshetlandponies Because it was my biggest fear and the reality was, it happened, I had no control over it at all so I just had to get on with it. I haven't been to the doctors since I went with my lump, this time four years ago. All the stupid little things I used to sweat over now seem insignificant. I also came across so many people during that journey, none of whom had "done" anything to cause their cancer. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen and there is not a lot you can do about it. I just don't dwell on things any longer 🤷🏻‍♀️

Has the person who said positivity has been shown to make a difference to cancer outcomes come back with the studies?

Found the post.

My SIL had her child at 43 and breastfed, she got breast cancer. She’s fine now though.

I have never been pregnant and have never had cancer either. It’s so complicated.

This actually makes sense

I'm glad you're well and anxiety free x

I don't see why it's such a huge surprise that 1 in 2 get cancer.

What non cancerous causes do you think people die from?

Statistically very very few people die from external/acute/non lifestyle related causes. Eg homicide/suicide/car crashes.

The vast majority of us will die from lifestyle induced illness. Lifestyle is a very broad term which includes societal trends such as having children later in life/fewer children/ living in polluted cities/ exposure to lots of carcinogens in our environment/stress.

It's not just about eating and exercise.

People tend to see cancer as certain death when actually more people than not survive it these days.

I think a cure will be unlikely but I do think at some point in the future many forms of cancer will be viewed more as chronic illnesses.

Heart disease kills more women than cancer does. Are you worried about that op?

You cannot prevent cancer. The only way to guarantee you do not get cancer is to die of something not cancer before you get cancer. If we all lived long enough eventually everyone would get cancer

There are things that are associated with big increased risks such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, processed meats and low fibre diet. And obviously following a general healthy lifestyle is beneficial.

Keeping the body alkaline?! (Impossible) eating tumeric every day, reducing seed oils will do fuck all. And you will just be even more pissed off if you did get cancer

Also remember cancer is a fairly broad term, many cancers are quite easily treatable and survivable

Eating organic food isn't going to stop you getting cancer

Not in the slightest !

Well that’s a bit odd don’t you think???

I don't know why. It just doesn't scare me or even register with me tbh

So it sounds like you have a cancer phobia . You could try hypnotherapy.