FEBRUARY 4 – WORLD CANCER DAY

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The 20th World Cancer Day is celebrated on Tuesday, February 4. The holiday was established in 2000 during the World Cancer Summit in Paris.

Every year, as many as 164 people in Poland learn that they suffer from cancer. Malignant tumors are still the second cause of death in Poland. Poles most often struggle with lung cancer. More than 20 people hear this diagnosis every year. More and more men suffer from prostate cancer. Breast cancer is a serious problem among women. According to doctors, this is the result of lifestyle changes. A disturbing phenomenon is the increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer. Young people are increasingly suffering from colon cancer.

Many studies prove that through a healthy lifestyle and everyday choices, we can reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancer. It is worth thinking about the future now to enjoy a healthy life as long as possible.

Obesity, smoking and lack of exercise are important factors that increase the risk of developing cancer. The risk of developing cancer increases proportionally as the amount of fat in the body increases. Maintaining a healthy weight is therefore crucial to health.

This is documented by many epidemiological studies around the world. According to a report by the World Cancer Research Fund, obesity increases the risk of developing many gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal cancer, esophageal and cardia adenocarcinoma, pancreatic and gallbladder cancer, and liver cancer.

By making the right dietary choices, you can significantly reduce the risk of cancer and many chronic diseases. A diet rich in plant-based foods, whole grains and legumes provides the body with the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants necessary to maintain good health.

The relationship between physical activity and health and reducing the risk of developing many types of cancer has been well documented in scientific research. Regular exercise reduces the risk of breast, prostate, lung, colon and digestive cancer. Reducing the risk of cancer is directly proportional to the level of physical activity.

Physical activity lowers your risk of disease in many ways:

  • Helps maintain proper body weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many types of cancer.
  • Helps regulate hormone levels. Elevated levels of certain hormones may increase the risk of disease.
  • It speeds up digestion, which can shorten the time that potentially harmful substances remain in the intestines
  • It accelerates the burning of excess sugar and fats deposited in the body, which causes fat cells to swell.

There is convincing scientific evidence that regular physical exercise has a positive and stimulating effect on the immune system. The function of the immune system is to prevent and fight any infections caused by microorganisms in the body. It constitutes a protective barrier of the human body by recognizing and removing pathogens and dangerous cancer cells.

The results of a study conducted in Great Britain indicate that a sedentary lifestyle is responsible for approximately 4%. all cases of colorectal, breast and endometrial cancer. Published in 2008, research conducted in Sweden, which involved over 40 people. men prove that people who walked or rode a bike for at least half an hour a day had a 34% lower risk of lower risk of death from cancer by 33%. higher chances of beating cancer than people who spent most of their time sitting.

Movement is health - this saying is true at any age and in any health condition. A dose of 30 minutes of exercise, three times a week, has a preventive effect. It's even better for your health if you can find time for physical exercise five times a week. The health benefits are immediate and it's never too late to start making changes to your lifestyle.

Physical activity does not have to involve practicing any sport. It's worth walking instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of using the elevator, starting the day with a few stretching exercises or signing up for a Nordic walking course.