Cancer cases are increasing at an alarming rate globally. A report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showed a record 1.3 million cancer cases recorded from 96 hospitals between 2012–19. Per another study, the projected cancer burden is expected to increase to 29.8 million by 2025. Presently, lung, breast, esophagus, mouth, stomach, liver and cervix are the leading cancer types in India. While cancer cannot be eradicated, here are tips on how to avoid cancer.
Tips on how to prevent cancerFollow these simple cancer–prevention tips
When you consume alcohol, the ethanol converts into acetaldehyde, a chemical that damages the DNA in cells. Experts recommend up to two drinks a day for men and up to one drink a day for women.
The human body cannot cope with the harmful chemicals present in tobacco. Cigarettes release over 70 cancer–causing chemicals that spread in the body. They damage the DNA and can lead to various cancers, including mouth, bladder, cervix and lung cancer. Eliminating tobacco is essential to preventing cancer.
Increasing the intake of nutritional foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, etc., is critical to cancer prevention. It is just as necessary to reduce the intake of processed meats and saturated fats.
Lack of physical activity increases the risk of obesity. Obesity, especially in women, can cause breast cancers, colon cancer, cancers of the thyroid, etc. Ensure that you exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage your skin. Continuous exposure to the sun can cause skin cancers. Always apply sunscreen every two hours if you are out in the sun.
Another way how cancer can be prevented is by going for annual screenings and tests. Many cancer screening tests are available in India. Individuals above the age of 40 must undergo a whole–body check–up at least once a year, especially if they have a family history of cancer.
While you take the necessary steps to prevent your risk of cancer, it is vital that you also invest in a health insurance policy. The costs related to the treatment of cancer are high. Treatment may include surgery to remove the cancer cells, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormonal therapy.
You can manage the high costs of cancer treatment by investing in critical illness health insurance and cancer care policies. In case of a cancer diagnosis, the insurer provides the sum insured, which you can use to finance diagnoses, therapies, medication, and hospital bills. You can pay for several inpatient and outpatient procedures. However, you must ride out the 2–4 year waiting period per your policy terms.
Buy a health insurance policy todayCancer cases are on the rise, and so are the costs of health care. But if you buy a health insurance plans, you can manage the medical costs effortlessly. Your insurer pays for most of your medical expenses. Now, you can buy your health insurance policy online, directly from the insurer’s website.
Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.6 Healthy Habits For Families
The key to long-term health is to get the entire family involved. Right from making healthy food choices to leading an active lifestyle – incorporating healthy habits in your daily lifestyle can be simple and practical when everyone in the family is working towards the same health goals.
Over here we discuss 6 healthy habits for families. You can add these habits into your daily routine to ensure your family’s good health.
6 Healthy Habits for Families
Eating a healthy diet, together as a family
The easiest of all family eating habits to cultivate is eating together. In today’s hectic world, eating together may be a challenge, but it’s worth making the efforts. There are several benefits of eating together. Eating together will help everyone in your family stick to scheduled meal times. Combine this habit with a healthy diet. Make a variety of healthy food choices, preferably food made at home so that family members, especially children do not look for junk food.
Make meal prep a fun activity
For family health benefits, it is essential to lead by example.Make healthy food choices so that your children can follow suit. A great way to promote healthy eating habits is to invite your children to be part of the cooking process. Help them choose the recipe and shop the ingredients. This will go a long way in inculcating healthy food choices in children.
Have no-phone zones
Apart from instilling good and healthy family habits and practices with regards to meals, it helps to turn meal hours into exclusive family hours with no interruptions. Having no phone zones at the dinner table and in the bedroom can encourage your family members to get moving and spend less time sitting. Encourage your kids to play outside. Planning fun activities like play board games and treasure hunts with your children can prove to be highly rewarding.
Be more active as a family
Staying active as a family doesn’t have to be boring! You can let every family member choose one activity for every week. From taking strolls to doing yoga together, from biking to swimming, many fun-filled activities can help you and your family burn some calories, relieve stress, while forming healthy family habits and practices.
Practice hand hygiene
As a family, make sure everyone follows hand hygiene. Wash hands after going to the restroom, before preparing food, after touching a pet, changing a diaper, blowing your nose, coughing, or handling garbage. You can also make a 20-second song so that children thoroughly wash their hands.
Do not skip medical tests
The importance of keeping track of your health cannot be emphasised enough. By undergoing regular medical check-ups you can help your family make informed health care decisions. It can help you catch health problems in the early stages and make lifestyle changes accordingly. Do include dental and eye checkup for yourself and your children in the annual medical checkup. To reap family health benefits, it’s important to take the right precautions, at the right time and make the right changes to avoid the most common health illnesses
Why is family insurance a must?
Illnesses don’t come knocking on the door. So, it only makes sense to have a backup plan in case you or your family member falls sick or needs hospitalisation in case of an accident or a health condition. With medical expenses skyrocketing, a health insurance policy is the best protection cover for a family. A comprehensive health insurance plan will give you that peace of mind regarding your family’s health and your financial well-being.
Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.
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