According to statistics by the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, the five most fatal types of cancer in the city for 2017 were lung cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
The American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund jointly compiled a report based on evidence from studies that involved 51 million people, 3.5 million of which suffered from 17 different types of cancer. According to the report, introducing changes to diet, being physically active, and maintaining a healthy body weight can significantly reduce cancer risks.
How to prevent cancer
Lifestyle
- Steer away from tobacco products
- Avoid excessive sun exposure
- Prevent weight gain in adult life. Keep body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9.
- At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week.
Diet
- Eat mostly plant-based foods which are rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans.
- Minimize consumption of red meat, processed foods, and sugar-sweetened drinks.
- Limit alcohol intake. Even small amounts can increase cancer risk.
- Do not take supplements for cancer prevention. Try to meet nutritional needs through diet instead.
Breastfeeding Mums
Mothers should breastfeed their baby exclusively for at least six months, and with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years after, if possible. It protects mothers against breast cancer and the child against infections and diseases.
Need some help with these lifestyle changes? Try these useful tools designed to keep you healthy and motivated. Need some peace of mind for your healthcare needs? Cigna HealthFirst Elite 360 Medical Plan offers comprehensive and personalized medical coverage across the stage prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery, with a range of hospital and surgical benefits, optional insurance benefits with an annual limit of up to HK$50 million, personalized health assessment, three critical illnesses(cancer, stroke and heart attack) all-rounded care and international medical concierge service. A 360-degree total health protection that spans across all the key stages of your health journey. Learn more here.
Sources:
© Cigna Healthcare 2023
Information provided in this article is intended for health and fitness purposes only and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease (see Terms & Conditions for details). Any health-related information found in this article is available only for your interest and should not be treated as medical advice. Users should seek any medical advice from a physician, especially before self-diagnosing any ailment or embarking on any new lifestyle or exercise regime. Any information contained in this article may not be suitable, accurate, complete or reliable. Cigna Healthcare accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of information contained on external websites or resources, or for the security and safety of using them. "Cigna Healthcare" and the "Tree of Life" logo are registered trademarks of Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. in the United States and elsewhere, licensed for use. All products and services are provided by or through operating subsidiaries, and not by The Cigna Group.
