Cancer

Cancer, along with heart disease, is one of the big killers in New Zealand. Take a look at cancer causes and risk factors to see where you can make some positive life changes to increase your chances of leading a cancer-free life.

According to Statistics New Zealand, cancer in New Zealand caused 29% of all deaths in New Zealand in the year 2000, while heart disease was responsible for 22% of the 7,620 deaths that year. Up until 1990, heart disease was the leading cause of death, but during the 1990's cancer became the leading cause of death. There are many New Zealand families who have been touched by cancer.

Lower your risk of developing cancer by adopting healthy lifestyle chocies:

Don't smoke: Between 4,300 and 4,600 New Zealanders die each year from smoking related illnesses. On top of this, a further 380 deaths are caused by secondhand or passive smoking, when smoke is inhaled by non-smokers in an environment where others are smoking. Here are some quick facts on the link between smoking and cancer:

• An estimated 25% of all cancer deaths are brought about by smoking.
• According to the Ministry of Health, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in New Zealand.
• Of all deaths from cancer, lung cancer is the most common in men and the second most common in women.

Be sun safe: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in New Zealand. In this country, we have one of the highest rates of skin cancer incidence and death in the world. The best way to reduce your chances of adding to this grim statistic is to wear sunscreen when you are outside, and stay out of the sun altogether between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Here are some quick facts on the sun and cancer:

• Over 90% of all skin cancers are caused by over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
• About 45,000 new skin cancer cases are diagnosed each year, including 1800 new cases of melanoma, the most fatal form of skin cancer.
• Over 300 people die of skin cancer a year in New Zealand.
• The face and neck are the most common places on the body for skin cancer to occur.
• Any deliberate form of tanning will increase the risk of irreversible skin damage and skin cancer.

Practice safe sex: Take care of your reproductive health, as having unsafe sex increases your risk of developing HPV, or Human Papilloma Virus. Those with HPV often don't know they have the virus, which is associated with a higher risk of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer. It's vital that all sexually active women have an annual smear test to keep an eye on the changeable cells of the cervix. When caught early, pre-cancerous and cancerous cells on the cervix are treatable. Using a condom will protect against HPV, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies.

Be physically active and eat well: Exercising 30 minutes or more each day, for at least 5 days each week, along with a healthy diet, will reduce your risk of developing cancer:

• Exercise and good nutrition reduce your chance of being obese, which in turn will lower the risk for developing cancer of the prostate, colon, breast and lungs. Find something you enjoy and get active today – walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and yoga are all good forms of exercise.
• Vegetables such as broccoli, cauilflower, kale and brussel sprouts have been shown to decrease the risk of some cancers.
• Foods containing beta-carotene have been shown to decrease the risk of some cancers. Beta-carotene is found in yellow, red and deep green vegetables.
• A varied diet that is low in saturated fat, high in fibre and low in salt will help you lead a healthy life and lower your risk of developing cancer.

See a medical expert for regular check-ups: As much as you may not want to think about your risk of cancer or other illnesses, you might be able to detect cancer in its early stages, when it is treatable. There are many cancers with no visible symptoms in the early stages, so as well as doing self-checks for breast cancer and skin cancer, you should have regular check-ups at your local medical centre.

Know your family history of cancer: Your family history can play a part in whether or not you suffer from cancer at some stage during your life. The instance of breast cancer, for example, has a genetic connection. It is important to know your family history of cancer, so that you can take extra precautions and be tested for the gene, if available. Breast, colon and ovarian cancer can be hereditary.

Be aware of your environment: Environmental risks are associated with a higher risk of cancer. Toxic materials cause genetic mutations, which can lead to the multiplication of cancerous cells in your body. Prolonged or regular exposure to toxic materials will increase your chances of developing cancer. Be careful when exposing yourself to asbestos, industrial building materials and chemicals such as benzene.

Although cancer is a deadly disease and one that affects many New Zealanders during their lifetime, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of being one of those who loses their life or must undergo treatment for cancer. As well as reducing your risk of developing cancer, these steps will have benefits for your general health and wellbeing.

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand cancer products and essential oils in the NZS.com directory.

Get published online by adding an article to the NZS.com Articles section. Before you add your article read over our guidelines for article creation and find out the benefits of publishing on NZS.com.

Lifestyle images from Flickr: Purple Flowers, Yoga and Wine.