The month of February is proclaimed as National Cancer Prevention Month. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, two million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year. Additionally, The American Cancer Society projects that in 2024 over 611,000 deaths will occur in the United States due to cancer. That is more than 1,600 deaths from cancer each day. The purpose of National Cancer Prevention Month is to educate people on the lifestyle changes they can make to prevent cancer.
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. The human body comprises several cells that grow and divide, giving room for new cells when the need occurs. An invasion of this normal process is what leads to cancer. Cancer can start anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Cancer can cause many symptoms, but some these symptoms are most often caused by illness, injury, benign tumors, or other problems. If you have symptoms such as fatigue, trouble breathing, or see the formation of a lump that does not get better after a few weeks, see your doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Research shows that more than 40 percent of cancer cases and half of the deaths can be attributed to preventable causes such as smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and excessive exposure to the sun, among others. The following are some effective methods to prevent cancer:
• Do not Smoke or Aim to Quit
– The use of tobacco products is linked to cancers of the larynx, mouth and throat, esophagus, urinary bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, colon, rectum, liver, and stomach.
• Protect Your Skin from the Sun
– Skin cancer is the most common and preventable cancer in the United States. Be sure to use adequate sun protection year-round and never use indoor tanning beds.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight
– Overweight and obesity are associated with at least thirteen types of cancer, including endometrial (uterine), breast, and colorectal cancer. Controlling your weight through physical activity and healthy eating reduces your risk for cancer.
• Limit Alcohol Intake
– Heavy drinking and binge drinking increases the risk of breast, liver, colon, rectum, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus cancer.
• Know Your Family Health History and Get Regular Cancer Screenings
– Knowing your family health history can help you and your doctor determine which screening tests are needed and when.
To learn more about please visit National Cancer Prevention Month. Additionally, you can visit the National Cancer Institute to discover more about cancer symptoms and diagnosis.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.
