Bermuda Health & Beauty Magazine Winter 2021/22

Page 14

CANCER CARE

Cancer can be prevented Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre shares things you can do today, that will lower your risk of being diagnosed with cancer

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ocally more than 300 people are diagnosed with cancer annually. It is estimated that 30% to 50% of cancers can be prevented and more than half cancer deaths can be prevented.

Preventing Cancer It is possible to change the course of some cancers in a population, including Bermuda. HPV is the cause of almost all FHUYLFDO FDQFHUV 7KH YLUXV ZKLFK DƵHFWV both males and females has also been linked to cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and throat. In addition to following a healthy lifestyle and cancer screening guidelines, vaccinating against HPV will be a step toward preventing these types of cancer.

There is strong evidence that an individual’s risk of developing cancer can be substantially reduced by healthy behaviour: • don’t use tobacco and reduce alcohol consumption • JHW VXƸFLHQW SK\VLFDO DFWLYLW\ • eat healthy foods in moderation • participate in cancer screenings according to recommended guidelines • get vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

is likely to work best. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some people who are at high risk. Bermuda’s cancer screening guidelines can be found on the Centre’s website (www.cancer.bm/cancer-information/ bermudas-cancer-screening-guidelines).

Vaccines Vaccines also help lower cancer risk. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and several other kinds of cancer in both males and females. The hepatitis B vaccine can help lower liver cancer risk.

Healthy Choices Screening Tests Starting as early as 40 years of age, getting screening tests regularly may ƶQG EUHDVW FHUYLFDO DQG FRORUHFWDO (colon) cancers early when treatment

You can reduce your risk of getting cancer by making healthy choices like keeping a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, protecting

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Health & Beauty Winter 2021/22


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