Cancer prevention made big news throughout 2015.
December 2015 : Our most popular cancer prevention stories in 2015
Our most popular cancer prevention stories in 2015
Following these tips can help you lead a healthier life and help you lower your cancer risk.
Keeping your home safe from cancer-causing chemicals and maintaining a healthy weight were just two of the most popular topics in Focused on Health this year. Following these tips can help you lead a healthier life and help you lower your cancer risk.
To find out what you missed, check out our most popular stories from 2015.
Sugar and cancer: What’s the link?
You get sugar naturally in foods like fruits, vegetables and dairy products, which are packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy diet. Added sugar that comes in the processed foods you buy from the grocery store is another story. Consuming too much can lead to obesity. This can increase your cancer risk.
It can be hard to know which sugar can increase your cancer risk. And how much is too much. Our dietitians explain how sugar impacts your health.
Learn about sugar and your cancer risk.
Probiotics: Healthy bacteria for your gut
Bacteria aren’t always bad. Probiotics are the good bacteria found in your gut. They help your immune system function at its best so it can kill cells that could become cancer.
You can help manage the bacteria in your gut by eating certain foods and eliminating others from your diet.
Read how to keep your gut bacteria healthy.
Keep your home safe to lower your cancer risk
Your home should be a safe place. But when it comes to your cancer risk, potentially harmful toxins could be in cleaning products and your basement. Some of the potential toxins in your home are familiar. Others may surprise you. And the research linking many of these toxins to cancer is inconclusive or ongoing, says Lewis E. Foxhall, M.D., vice president of Health Policy at MD Anderson. “But it’s better to play it safe.”
Learn to spot the toxins in your home.
Protect your health with the right dietary fats
Body fat that collects around your stomach, limbs and organs may raise your cancer risk. But there’s a difference between body fat and dietary fat, the kind found in healthy foods. Dietary fat gives you energy, supports cell function and helps your body absorb nutrients. Not to mention, it makes food taste better.
Learn how different types of fat affect your health.
Protein helps us build and repair muscle. Getting the right amount of protein from our food can help us get enough energy to exercise – a key part of maintaining a healthy weight and lowering cancer risk. But protein is often misunderstood and there are many myths surrounding it.
Read what you need to know about protein.
Request an appointment at MD Anderson's Lyda Hill Cancer Prevention Center online or call 877-632-6789.
More Stories From Focused on Health
Energy balance: What is it, and how can you achieve it?
Energy balance is important. When you consume too much energy and burn too little, your body stores that excess energy as body fat. And being overweight increases your risk for several cancers, including colon, pancreatic, endometrial and post-menopausal breast cancer.
Colon polyps: What to ask your doctor
Did you recently find out that you have colon polyps? Some types of colon polyps do increase your risk of developing colon cancer. So, it’s important to be informed.
Guide: How to spot real whole grains
Whole grains are high in fiber, which can help you stay lean and lower your cancer risk.
Challenge: Eat more whole grains
A diet rich in whole grains may help curb your risk of colon cancer and other diseases.