1. Increased sun exposure can be damaging to your skin.
In the summer, laying out on the beach is a prevalent activity. People take to the ocean in droves to relax and get some sun. But while being in the sun can help you feel good, it’s also the leading cause of skin cancer. UV rays damage the fibers in your skin and can cause discoloration, tumors, and both precancerous and cancerous skin lesions. It’s never too late to protect yourself from further sun damage and help prevent skin cancer, though! Ensure that you’re wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, avoid as much sun exposure between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm (peak UV radiation hours), and make sure you’re wearing protective clothing. A rule of thumb is that if you are going to be out in the sunshine for more than 15 minutes, you should be not only wearing protective clothing and sunscreen, but also work to find shade while you’re outdoors Following these simple rules will let you enjoy the sun safely and reduce your risk of skin cancer.
2. Fake tanning is dangerous for your health.
You might think that choosing an indoor tan is safer and healthier for you than tanning in the sun. However, studies have shown that tanning beds and all their associated equipment can be as deadly – and sometimes more dangerous – than sun exposure. Even one tanning bed session can increase your risk of developing melanoma by 20%, and the American Academy of Dermatology believes that over 400,000 cases of skin cancer each year may be caused by indoor tanning.
How can you avoid increasing your risk of cancers like melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma? Simply put: don’t tan! The tanning bed might be tempting, and everyone loves that summer glow, but tanning beds are dangerous. If you want a tan, consider a self-tanning lotion or cream, or hit up a sunless tanning booth. These options are generally regarded as safe as long as proper instructions are followed.
3.Frequent flying can increase your chances of cancer.
Whether you’re a flight attendant, a pilot, or a jet-setting businessperson, you are at a much higher risk of a variety of cancers. Female flight attendants have a 50% higher risk of breast cancer than women in other professions, and frequent flyers are four times more likely to get non-melanoma skin cancer
Cabin crews are also at an increased risk of cervix, thyroid, colon, liver, and stomach cancer. One possible explanation for these increased rates is that flight attendants are exposed to many known and potential carcinogens within their work environment. One of these carcinogens is cosmic ionizing radiation, which is elevated at higher altitudes. This type of radiation is particularly damaging to DNA. However, if you’re not a frequent flyer, you likely won’t be exposed to enough ionizing radiation to matter.
4. Smoking can cause cancer.
There are 4,800 toxic substances found in cigarettes, and you inhale every single one of them every time you light up. Tobacco smoke contains at least 70 cancer-causing chemicals. If you smoke, your life expectancy is at least ten years shorter than non-smokers, and your risk of heart attack, lung disease, and various cancers is increased.
The good news: if you stop smoking before age 40, you reduce your risk of dying from a smoking-related disease by almost 90%. And even if you’re over 40, your body notices increased benefits from quitting almost instantly. After three months, your lung capacity is improved, and after five years, your risk of dying from stomach, mouth, throat, lung, or esophageal cancer is cut in half.
5. Drinking too much can cause long-term health issues.
Alcohol may be suitable for your heart – you’ll often hear people say that a glass of wine a day is beneficial. However, there’s much research to suggest that regular consumption of alcohol can account for an increased risk of cancer in both men and women.