(NaturalNews) Cancer can be an incredibly deceptive disease. It strikes when a person least expects it, and in many cases, offers absolutely no warning whatsoever. Cancer affects people of all ages, height, weight and gender. A person can take preventative measures to avoid getting cancer, but the truth is, there are several factors that contribute to their risk and not all of them can be controlled.

Know your body

A person should become intimately familiar with their body, especially its reactions and appearance. No one knows a person's body better than they do themselves. The first sign of change will be easier for them to notice if they examine their body on a regular basis. The majority of the time nothing will be out of the ordinary, but the rare chance that something is amiss can result in the early detection of cancer or another serious illness.

Many symptoms may not by discovered by sight. Lumps in the breast, for example, are discovered by self examinations and mammograms. Blood tests may be needed to discover other cancers. A person who is normally full of energy and always ready for activity, may want to get a physical examination if they begin to feel constantly fatigued.

Remain active

Remaining active and exercising on a regular basis helps to reduce the risk of contracting cancer. Strenuous activity relieves stress and keeps physical tension to a minimum. It also produces endorphins and enhances the body's ability to function more efficiently. Exercise also burns away excess calories and flushes away toxins that accumulate within the muscles and other soft tissues.

Be aware of genetic factors

Family histories play an important role when determining the potential risk of an individual acquiring a certain type of disease or illness. Individuals who have several reports of cancer in their family are said to be at higher risk than people who don't. Genetics however, is not the only factor to be considered. Having a high rate of cancer throughout a person's family does not mean they will eventually end up with the disease. It just means they are at higher risk.

Watch your weight

Being overweight, even if only by a few pounds, can increase a person's risk of cancer dramatically. Noticeable changes in weight can also be a symptom that something is not right with your body. Individuals who rapidly gain or lose weight may want to get an exam to determine why their body is having problems stabilizing weight.

Enjoy the sun!

While getting too much sun can cause result in skin cancer, not enough sun can also cause cancer related problems. The sun's ultraviolet rays cause reactions in the body that create Vitamin D and other beneficial chemicals. It's important to spend a short period of time in the sun each day to stimulate the production of those components and reduce the risk of several different types of cancer.

To understand and prevent cancer, a person needs to know as much as possible about potential risk factors and what types of illnesses their body may be susceptible too.

Sources :

http://www.womansday.com

http://www.newsmaxhealth.com

http://www.livescience.com

About the author:
Sandeep has written many health field articles for both Internet and print publication. He currently writing for insurancetips4u.co.

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