COULD YOUR LIFESTYLE BE CAUSING YOU CANCER?
DID YOU KNOW there are at least 10 things we do or don’t, do depending on your take of it, that could make a sizeable difference in how susceptible we are to developing certain types of cancer?
Here’s a quick quiz to see how cancer free you’re living. I hope you pass-I didn’t.
DO YOU SLEEP IN TOTAL DARKNESS?
Melatonin (a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in inverse proportion to the amount of light received by the retina, important in the regulation of biorhythms) which is produced in the brain when you sleep, is said to lower the risk of certain cancers. Sleeping at least 7 hours decreases your chances of developing breast cancer.
DO YOU DRINK GREEN TEA?
Green Tea is known to have a protective effect against certain cancers. It’s also used as an adjuvant treatment for those already diagnosed with cancer.
IS YOUR BMI (BODY MASS INDEX) 25 OR LOWER?
A recently published finding from the Nurses' Health Study in Boston found that post-menopausal women just 44 pounds overweight double their risk of breast cancer. Further, "There seems to be an even stronger association with greater degrees of obesity," according to Harvard University endocrinologist, JoAnn Manson, M.D., one of the heads of the study. FYI-A BMI of 25 or lower has proven to aid in warding off certain cancers.
DO YOU EAT 5 OR MORE PORTIONS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DAILY?
Increasing your daily intake of fruits and vegetables from the usual one to two (that most people get), to 5 to nine is likely to decrease your chances of developing certain cancer by half according to national studies including those conducted by the Nurses Health Study in Boston.
DO YOU AVOID ANTIBIOTICS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE?
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed a direct connection between the excessive use of antibiotics and an increase in breast cancer. Although they can be lifesaving, antibiotics do not treat the common cold which is normally due to virus and should not be used unless taken for a bacterial infection.
DO YOU AVOID DRYCLEANING AND OPT FOR WASHING YOUR CLOTHES?
For many years now, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has declared, that Perchloroethylene (perc), a chemical commonly used by dry cleaners, has been proven to elevate the risk of certain cancers, especially in those working in such establishments. Wet cleaning or liquid C02 cleaning is the recommended method.
DO YOU PRIMARILY USE STAINLESS STEEL OR CERAMIC COOKWARE AND DISCARD YOUR ANY DAMAGED NON-STICK COOKWARE?
The chemical Perflouroctanoic Acid (PFOA) used to make non-stick cookware is reported by the Environmental Protection Agency, to be a human carcinogen. It is best to use stainless steel or ceramic cookware. If you’re using non-stick (Teflon) make sure to throw them away at the first sign of damage. Also, be aware that companies use the same coating for microwaveable popcorn.
DO YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE SEX LIFE? 
Studies including one done by a Melbourne research team have concluded that an active sex life (preferably with a monogamous partner), is said to make for a healthier person and reduces the risk of breast cancer in women and men.
DO YOU MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER PLAYING ON WOODEN OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT? 
The arsenic chemical CCA used in more than 90 percent of all wooden playground equipment before it was banned in 2003, has been shown to cause cancer. A study showed that 1 in 500 people will develop cancer from the arsenic they absorb from these types of structures.
DO YOU EXERCISE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES PER DAY?
Studies recorded by the American Cancer Society have shown that daily exercise, in conjunction with other good habits, such as proper dieting, lowers the risk of certain cancers in most everyone.
I have to tell you it was very interesting researching these claims. A follow-up will need to be done on many of them because there is so many more pertinent pieces of information out there, some of which are as amusing as they are educational. In the meantime, to borrow a few words from the late Biggie Smalls, "If you don’t know, now you know". Please don't wait for anyone or any life-threatening occurrence to make that decision for you. Make the choice NOW to make the difference in YOUR life!
Love You All
Nina Shay
P.S. Thank you so much for your responses to my last blog. Some people emailed comments and others posted them here. I learned a lot and was enlightened, to say the least. I found out quite a few of you had similiar emergency room experiences, which got me to thinking; We are our greatest resource and we should use each other more often. Imagine being used in a positive way :)
