Oncologist's Advice: How to Reduce Your Risk of Developing Cancer

(Patria) - Oncologist Dr. Daniel Landau revealed what he does to reduce his risk of developing cancer, writes Business Insider.

Most people, specifically 88 percent of those who develop cancer, are over 50 years old, and survival rates have improved in recent decades, the American Cancer Society reported.

However, a 2023 study published in the journal BMJ Oncology showed that cancer cases in people under 50 increased by nearly 80 percent between 1990 and 2019, from 1.82 million to 3.26 million globally.

It is known that certain risk factors for some types of cancer, such as smoking, increase the risk of developing lung cancer. But Dr. Landau says that for many other types of cancer, scientists are not quite sure why the number of cases has increased in young people.

Landau points out that one of the most prominent theories is that modern lifestyle factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle and consuming more saturated fats, may contribute to the rise in cancer rates.

Read below how Dr. Landau tries to reduce his own risk of developing cancer.

Mediterranean diet

The oncologist does not follow a strict diet and does not adhere to the "everything in moderation" approach, but rather tries to stick to the principles of the Mediterranean diet, which includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins like fish.

He also consumes limited amounts of red meat, alcohol, and processed foods.

Landau explains that the Mediterranean diet is heart-healthy, and research has linked it to a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Dietitian Tejal Parekh recently revealed that a healthy diet can help prevent cancer.

Daily exercise

Due to the known link between a sedentary lifestyle and an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, Dr. Landau tries to exercise at least 30 to 60 minutes every day.

He engages in weight training and cardiovascular training, as he believes both are beneficial for cancer prevention "as long as we increase our resting heart rate."

A 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that just 30 minutes of weight-strengthening exercise can reduce the risk of death from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found in a 2023 study that a good level of cardiorespiratory fitness in youth can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer later in life by up to 42 percent.

No dietary supplements

Landau said that although several studies have shown that turmeric, green tea, and vitamin D may be beneficial for cancer prevention, more research is needed to definitively prove that any dietary supplements can prevent cancer.

Taking dietary supplements can also have side effects. This is according to a study that showed women who took vitamin D and calcium supplements had a seven percent lower risk of dying from breast cancer, but a six percent higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, potentially due to calcium buildup in the coronary arteries.

Landau does not take supplements except for protein powder after "a hard workout."

- I believe that the best source of nutrients is the food we eat, not the supplements we take - the oncologist says.

Do not consume cigarettes

- There is a strong link between smoking and the development of lung or bladder cancer - Landau said.

Nine out of ten deaths from lung cancer are caused by cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, and smoking can also prevent the body from killing cancer cells, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out.