Most everyone knows that diet and exercise are key to being healthy. However, research says that overweight women heighten their risk for breast cancer.

Body Fat and Breast Cancer Development

According to a 2006 study by British researchers, obese women are 60 percent more likely to suffer from some form of cancer. Since breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, the results suggest that there may be a link between a women’s body fat and breast cancer development.

Experts explain this correlation by suggesting that since estrogen fuels many cancers and fat tissue produces estrogen, the overabundance of it may be the cause for more incidents of breast cancer in obese women.

Possible Other Causes

While the research in body fat and breast cancer development is interesting, it’s likely not the only influence. What women need to keep in mind is that breast cancer is also hereditary. If another woman in your family suffers from cancer, then you may be susceptible to developing it as well. However, it doesn’t mean you will surely get it. Your lifestyle has an influence on the likelihood of its development.

What to Take Away from this Information

If cancer runs in your family, then you should take optimal care of yourself. That means eating healthy, exercising, and not smoking. If cancer doesn’t run in your family, it doesn’t mean that you have permission to lead an unhealthy lifestyle. You may not develop cancer from it, but there many other diseases such as heart disease that you could develop if you are unhealthy.

Photo: Amy Guth

There are ways you can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer. For women under the age of 26, one prevention measure is Gardasil, a vaccine that offers protection from the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that girls 11 and 12 receive routine cervical cancer vaccinations. In addition, it recommends that women between the ages of 13 and 26 who have not received the vaccine get vaccinated. To be most effective, the vaccine should be administered before the girl becomes sexually active.

Talk to your doctor or your daughter’s doctor about the benefits of Gardasil. It is estimated that the vaccine can prevent up to 70 percent of all cases of cervical cancer.

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Colon cancer is the fourth-most-common cancer in the United States. What’s even more surprising is that colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in people who are non-smokers. Luckily, colon cancer is highly curable if it is found in an early stage.

In fact, colon cancer can even be prevented if polyps are detected and removed before cancer develops. The only way to detect polyps, however, is to be screened on a regular basis for colon cancer.

Who should get screened for colon cancer? Every man and woman starting at the age of 50 should be screened on a regular basis. In addition, people with a family history of colon cancer and a personal medical history of certain diseases should start getting screened before they turn 50.

Talk to your doctor about colon cancer screening.

(photo credit: euthman)

While ovarian cancer can strike a woman at any age, there are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer.

If you are worried about ovarian cancer, particularly if you are at a high risk for developing ovarian cancer, talk to you doctor about the following, which appear to reduce your risk for ovarian cancer:

• Birth control pills: Women who take birth control pills for three years can reduce their risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 50 percent.
• Giving Birth: Giving birth to at least one child can lower your risk of breast cancer.
• Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding your child for at least one year appears to lower your risk for ovarian cancer.
• Tubal ligation: Women who have had a tubal ligation reduces a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer.
• Hysterectomy: Like tubal ligation, a hysterectomy can reduce a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer.

In addition, if you are at a very high risk for ovarian cancer, you might want to talk to your doctor about having your ovaries removed. However, this procedure can cause early menopause, which can increase your risk for other serious health conditions.

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There are a number of foods that can help protect your body against cancer. To help prevent ovarian cancer and other types of cancer, try incorporating the following foods into your diet:

• Beans: Beans contain phytochemicals, which help cells from becoming damaged. The fiber in the beans also helps fight digestive cancers.
• Berries: Ellagic acid and anthocyanosides, two cancer-fighting compounds, are abundant in berries. Load up on strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.
• Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cabbage, kale and other cruciferous vegetables help slow cancer growth and development.
• Leafy Green Vegetables: Leafy greens contain the antioxidants called carotenoids. These help protect the body from free radicals, which can damage cells.
• Garlic: Garlic contains compounds that can help slow or stop the formation of tumors.
• Grapes and Red Wine: Red wine and grapes contain resveratol, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, that helps prevent cellular damage.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes and tomato sauces contain lycopene, which helps protect the body from a number of cancers.
• Whole Grains: Whole grains contain a number of cancer-fighting compounds, including fiber.

If you’re interested in the ways in which diet can help prevent cancer, talk to your doctor about eating healthy.

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Fatigue is not only a symptom of Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia; it is also a side effect of Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia treatment. Here are some tips to help you cope with fatigue.

To keep fatigue from getting the best of you, try the following:

• Get plenty of sleep. While you should get at least eight hours of sleep each night, you should also take a nap during the day if you are feeling tired.
• Prioritize your activities: You, no doubt, have a number of things to accomplish in one day. Make a list, starting with things that must be done and ending with things that can wait for another day.
• Eat a healthy diet: Eating a well-balanced diet that features a number of fruits, vegetables and lean protein sources will help keep you energized.
• Exercise: Exercising will keep you in shape and will help fight fatigue.If you are feeling excessively tired, talk to your doctor about possible medications.