Easy Ways to Cut Your Risk of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer, as well as the most deadly, and women are much more vulnerable than men. A nonsmoking woman is twice as likely to develop lung cancer than a nonsmoking man. You can protect yourself and enjoy a long and healthy life by making a few simple lifestyle changes.

Get Some Sun On Your Skin

Your body needs sunlight in order to create vitamin D. Vitamin D provides protection against all kinds of cancer, and cancer rates are significantly lower in sunnier regions. You only need fifteen minutes per day in the sun without sunscreen, at least a few days a week.

Photo by Fetchy

The necessary wavelength that provides UVB radiation is unavailable in northern latitudes during the winter, so you should take a supplement at that time if you live in colder climes. Cod liver oil is a great source of vitamin D. Fatty fish such as herring, catfish, salmon, and mackerel are good sources. Mushrooms can be a good source if they're exosed to UV light for a few minutes after harvesting.

Yellow-Orange Veggies

Carotenoids found in vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes are very protective against cancer. Eating a half cup a day can cut your lung cancer risk by 25%.

Fruits and Juices

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins which inhibit precancerous cell growth in the lungs. An 8 oz. glass a day or a handful of berries will provide a great deal of protection. Pomegranate seeds and juice protect against lung cancer by providing isoflavones, polyphenols, and ellagic acid. Tomato juice is loaded with the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer by 32%.

An Apple A Day...

Apples are loaded with cancer fighting flavonoids. Having an apple a day cuts your lung cancer risk by 46%. Don't peel it, though! Most of the flavonoids are stored in the skin.

Photo by Martin LaBar

Get Active!

The more research that's done, the more obvious it becomes how dangerous the sedentary lifestyle is to human health. It should come as no surprise, then, that exercise is also very protective against lung cancer. Twenty minutes of exercise a day is ideal, but tailor your workout to your fitness level. Check with your doctor before starting any fitness program, especially if you have a medical condition or you've been very sedentary.

Aspirin

Taking just a few regular strength aspirin a week cuts the risk of the most common form of lung cancer in half, even if you smoke. Taking aspirin regularly is not a good idea for everyone, so you should check with your doctor before doing so.

And One Not So Easy...

Everyone knows that smoking is the biggest danger, and that quitting is not so simple. These strategies will offer some protection even for smokers, but if you smoke you really need to quit. 87% of all lung cancer cases are linked to smoking. Medications such as Chantix or Zyprexa can make it easier, or the nicotice patch or gum or nasal spray or lozenge. Hypnotherapy can be helpful, or NLP, or meditation... or all of the above! Whatever it takes. Declare all out war on your smoking habit!