Ronan Keating gives us a guide of tips on how you can improve your health and reduce your risk of cancer.
We are so grateful to Sam McCauley Chemists for their ongoing support of the Marie Keating Foundation‘s goal of working towards a world free from the fear of cancer. We very much depend on money raised to help us to continue our work in the community through our Awareness, Information and Support Campaigns.
You can cut your risk of cancer. Here are 5 Changes you can make, right now, that can help prevent 4 out of 10 cancers.My beautiful Mam, Marie, died from cancer 20 years ago. If we’d known more, or if she’d been diagnosed earlier, the outcome could have been very different. That’s why, at The Marie Keating Foundation, we’ve created the ‘Your Health, Your Choice Campaign‘.
1. Quit Smoking
One in every two smokers die of a tobacco-related disease. The start of the summer is a great time to quit, breathe in the fresh air. Your Sam McCauley Pharmacist can recommend products to assist you or you can call the National Smokers Quitline for free on 1800 201 203 or Freetext QUIT to 50100.
2. Limit Your Alcohol Intake
In Ireland, we drink more than the European average and it’s doing damage. Every year, 900 people die from alcohol-related cancers. Alcohol causes 7 types of cancers including head and neck, bowel and breast cancers. The less you drink, the lower the risk of cancer and many other diseases. Take a count, an honest one, of what you drink in a week and then check it against the standards – 11 standard drinks a week for women and 17 for men. Standard may be smaller than you think – one pint has two standard drinks in it. A large glass of wine (200ml) is two standard drinks.
3. Be Safe In The Sun
You might think the sun in Ireland is harmless, but skin cancer is actually our most common cancer. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancer. Most of us can prevent skin cancer by protecting our skin from sunburn with sunscreen, clothing and by staying in the shade.
4. Eat A Well Balanced Diet
Eating healthy food is easier when the sun shines – fruit, vegetables, salads are all great and help keep the weight down too. Research shows that if you are a healthy weight you may reduce your risk for many cancers.
5. Be Physically Active
Dance, jog, walk or play – whatever way you love to get moving is great. If you are physically active you will reduce your risk of cancer. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise a day, 5 days a week.
Good luck and have a super healthy summer.
Article originally published in the June Sam McCauley Chemist Healthy Savings Catalogue.
