What You Eat Can Lessen Risk of Cancer

Care N’ Care Health Plan Reminds Texas Residents to Maintain a Healthy Diet and ‘Be Smart About What You Eat’ as America Celebrates National Cancer Prevention Month

(FORT WORTH, Texas – Jan. 25, 2021) — When most people hear about cancer prevention, their first thoughts turn to avoiding the use of tobacco, getting regular screenings, staying out of the sun, remaining physically active and having proper protection from certain viral infections. All are important precautions, but also high on that list of ways to reduce the risk of cancer is maintaining a healthy diet.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and Care N’ Care (HMO/PPO) Health Plan considers that a perfect time for residents here in North Texas to reexamine their diet and make sure that they are being smart about what they eat.

Making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can’t guarantee cancer prevention, but evidence shows that diet drastically affects many aspects of a person’s health, including the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. The development of cancer, in particular, has been shown to be heavily influenced by diet; and several studies have revealed that a higher intake of certain foods could lower the risk of the disease. These foods include broccoli, carrots, beans, berries, cinnamon, nuts, olive oil, turmeric, citrus fruits, flaxseed, tomatoes, garlic and fatty fish.

While some cancer risk factors such as genetics and environment are out of a person’s control, a study conducted by the American Cancer Society concluded that at least 42% of newly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. (which translates to about 750,000 cases in 2020) are potentially avoidable. This includes the 19% of all cancers that are caused by smoking and the 18% caused by a combination of excess body weight, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition and physical inactivity.”

As it pertains specifically to a healthy diet, Care N’ Care offers these four tips:

  1. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources—such as whole grains and beans.
  2. Avoid obesity. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-calorie foods, including refined sugars and fat from animal sources.
  3. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. The risk of various types of cancer—including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver—increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you’ve been drinking regularly.
  4. Limit processed meats. A report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that eating large amounts of processed meat can slightly increase the risk of certain types of cancer.

Care N’ Care wants everyone to know that their risk of cancer is within their power to change, and that includes focusing on a healthy diet. While doctors and loved ones can provide input and advice, ultimately “only you can determine the lifestyle you want to lead, the advice you want to follow, and the path you want to take so you can live life to its fullest.”

Care N’ Care is a Medicare Advantage health plan providing North Texas Medicare beneficiaries in Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Erath, Rockwall, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise counties affordable alternatives that improve and simplify Medicare coverage. With both PPO and HMO health plans, Care N’ Care offers all of the traditional benefits included in original Medicare plus additional benefits and services. For more information about Care N’ Care and its Medicare Advantage health plans, visit cnchealthplan.com.

 

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