How to treat your body; Dos and don’ts

Cancer is most often caused when a person is exposed to carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents. The best way to combat cancer, is to take steps to avoid such agents. Here are a few of the dos and don’ts gathered at the Ecumenical Day, Sept. 27 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which trained people to minister to people with cancer and their families.

DO: Avoid the sun. Wear a hat and sunblock when working outdoors. Skin cancer caused by the sun is the most frequent form of cancer.

DON’T: Smoke. Tobacco products have had a role to play in one out of every three cancer deaths. If you smoke, don’t drink. The risk of esophageal cancer is 40 times greater for those who both drink and smoke.

DON’T: Heat food in plastic in the microwave, and especially not in Styrofoam. When heated, plastic and Styrofoam can release harmful toxins into the food.

DO: Drink 64 ounces of water per day. Filtered water is best. And for every cup of coffee, drink two cups water. “People in the United States are the most dehydrated,” says Linda Wiland, RN, a patient nurse educator at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa. “When we get thirsty, we don’t reach for water. We have lost our natural thirst for water.” Water aids in digestion and helps to avoid colon cancer.

DO: Consume fruits and vegetables. Half your dinner plate should contain a colorful array of vegetables needed to aid in digestion. Some groups suggest five servings of fruits or vegetables per day. Wiland suggested that fresh fruits or vegetables be rinsed three times in apple vinegar to wash the chemicals off that are used to treat the food.

DO: Exercise 30 minutes per day – or three increments of 10 minutes each. “Walking is the best exercise,” Wiland said. “If you work at a computer, get up every hour and stretch. The lymph system doesn’t have a pump like the heart.” Exercise improves strength, mood, fatigue, and reduces anxiety and depression.

DON’T: Get stressed out. Find ways to avoid stress – pray, meditate, go for a walk, or simply read a good book.

DO: Laugh. “When you laugh, it releases endorphins” which strengthen the immune system.

DO: Look at what you’re eating. “If it’s full of words you can’t pronounce, don’t eat it.”

DO: Get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to depression and a weakened immune system.

DO: Get checked! Men, once you reach 50, have regular prostate exams. Some forms of prostate cancer are very aggressive. Women should perform monthly self-breast exams. After age 40, women should have a mammogram once every one or two years.

DON’T: Drink alcohol to excess. Drink occasionally, if at all. Alcohol is linked to breast and other forms of cancer.

DO: Maintain a healthy weight.

DO: Pray, attend Mass, get involved in your church. Faith heals. Studies have shown that people who attend religious services regularly are hospitalized less often; tend to avoid alcohol, drugs, and risky behavior; have significantly better outcomes after a physical illness; have a stronger immune system; and have lower blood pressure.

Editor’s note: Much more information on the dos and don’ts of how to treat your body is available by visiting one of the cancer information websites provided at the top of this page.