How to Improve the Odds of the Elderly
July 10th, 2010
Reiterating from my previous posts, generally people get sick from the following factors:
1. Genetics;
2. Environment;
3. Life styles (habits).
It is not entirely true that cancer cases are due to genetics. A lot are caused by the other two factors. If it is, then there’s nothing much one can do about it. If it isn’t, much can be done to avoid it by being proactive with the other two. Given that the effects would manifest themselves long after the cause, it is still not worth the gamble to just leave things to chance.
Hedging against cancer:
o Do not use tobacco products:
These cover cigarettes, tobacco, chewing tobacco and/or derivatives. Even second hand smoke has been reported to be as harmful. Tobacco causes about one-third of all cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.
o Do not overexpose yourself to sunlight:
Not much of a problem in the tropics but a major concern in temperate countries. The ultraviolet rays from the sun, and those from tanning booths, can leave everlasting wrinkles, skin damage or, more seriously, skin cancer.
o Have a healthy diet:
Easier said than done in the age of fast-food. And a “healthy” diet for one is “poison” to another. And example is cruciferous vegetables. In one of the health forums, this vegetable type is a good colon cleaning. However eating much of it, especially in raw form, can cause thyroid problems.
But a good daily serving of fruits and vegetables, not much on fatty foods and a load of fibers is a generally considered a good diet.
o Keep your weight in check:
In one of health forums I visited, an elderly member is keeping a diary for the purpose of losing weight. Again, this is a tall order. Besides, as health experts would say, “there is no ideal weight, but a weight one is comfortable with.” But I do feel scandalized each time I see grossly overweight people gorging on too much food. I think it disgraceful.
Anyway, being overweight increase the risk of some forms of cancers, i.e., prostate, pancreas, uterus, ovary and the breasts.
o Exercise, exercise, exercise:
Though not needing to be emphasized, still a lot of people loath to exercise. “I’ll do it tomorrow,” is a familiar refrain, even for me. What’s worse, the nearest thing some people get to exercise is the lifting of a beer bottle to the lips.
Activity lowers the risk of developing breast and colon cancers, as well as other types of cancers.
o Keep alcohol consumption down:
The risk of getting cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus and larynx is higher among people with excessive intakes of alcoholic drinks.
Mouth Cancer
o Know and follow safety rules to avoid dangerous and cancerous materials:
Refer to appropriate materials safety data sheets (MSDS) to be sure. Asbestos, a common insulating material, is highly carcinogenic, for one.
A lady doctor I met found no logic in imposing health controls on her aged parents so, she reasoned, they may enjoy the waning years of their lives to the fullest. She may have a point. But it is always a nasty thing to be sick, especially with cancer, regardless of the stage in life one is. Life is short. There’s no point in making it shorter. More so for the baby boomers.
Note: I don’t know what happened to her parents but she died in her 50s of cardiac arrest.
