Cancer Prevention

The Cancer Epidemic

Should I call it an epidemic? Have we gotten there? ​It seems like every day I hear about a new case of cancer. Whether it be from a family member, friend, acquaintance, or celebrity, it all hits close to home. For me, it's a constant worry lurking in the back of my mind. Sometimes I let it rear it's ugly head but, for the most part, God has given me a profound peace over it (check out my cancer story here). He has assured me of my healing and I know He walks along side me and that gives me great comfort. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let Him do ALL the work! God has given us this body here on earth and we must take care of it to the best of our ability. We only get one chance at this! I know we cannot control everything that happens with our bodies, but we need to be as diligent as possible. I've compiled a short and simple list of the best things we can do to prevent cancer.

1. Maintain a Healthy Diet

This seems fairly simple but why does it seem so hard sometimes?! I know I struggle with it. There's a great debate on whether we should be Plant-based, Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, dairy-free, grain-free or just plain crazy maybe! I believe every body is different and every person is going to require a different diet. What works for one may not work for another. There's actually a great documentary on Netflix right now about this called "You Are What You Eat." You can come to your own conclusion about the study on the show, but the bottom line is that we need to consume a diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, with limited meat and dairy. A key element to any healthy diet is to eliminate sugar, processed foods, and added ingredients. Stick to the basics of healthy farm-raised organic products and keep all those toxins out of your body! Check out these healthy recipes to help you get started!
*As always, consult your doctor if you have concerns.

2. Limit Stress

Again. Easier said than done, right? But it's crucial for our bodies to eliminate unnecessary stress whenever possible. Kick those bad habits (too much screen time, drinking, smoking, burning the midnight oil and so on), get plenty of rest, remove yourself from toxic environments and relationships, take time to do things that make you happy, pray, spend time with loved ones and focus on things that bring you joy. There are a lot of simple things you can do to unwind and de-stress and other things may be hard - like quitting a job you hate or getting out of an abusive relationship. Reach out to a professional or trusted friend for help if you need it and take some time every day to talk to God and be in the Word. Here are some great devotionals to help!

3. Exercise

Get that body moving! You don't have to go out and run a marathon, but you do need to get off the couch! Make the time to get at least 150 minutes of activity in per week. Break it down into small amounts if you have to. Take a 10-15 minute walk at lunch or after dinner. Do a workout video or ride your bike. The key here is to find something you enjoy doing and get in a routine. I know that if I workout before I go to work in the morning I'll feel better all day and I don't have to worry about it when I'm tired at the end of the day. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting anything too crazy!

4. Take Supplements

I am a firm believer in the power of supplements. And not just any supplements - good supplements. I have been blessed with being under the care of some very good naturopathic doctors since my cancer diagnosis. One kept me going during chemotherapy and radiation and the other is now helping me through menopause and my post-cancer issues. I highly recommend finding a doctor that will work with you and help you find the right products for you. This will require doing some lab work and some diligence on your part, but it is well worth it. Since I have been working with my current doctor I have gained so much energy and my aches and pains have subsided. I feel more "normal" than ever! Check out this great book by my very own doctor, Dr. Pamela Smith! I also suggest using websites recommended by doctors to order your supplements (like Fullscript, Integrative Therapeutics, or Metagenics to name a few)  or find a good compounding pharmacy. Always buy from a trusted source!

5. Do Regular Exams

Finally, it's important to stay on top of your health. Have those yearly physicals, do the mammograms, visit the doctor. I made the huge mistake of putting it off because I was scared. (Read about it here.) Don't be me. The sooner you identify a problem, the better. Cancer is not patient. It is not kind. And, yes, it is scary. But there are wonderful doctors out there that can help. We've made a lot of advances in treatment and a cancer diagnosis is no longer an automatic death sentence. One of the best defenses we have is early detection!