In the past 30 years cancer rates in young adults have risen alarmingly — increasing by
about 2% each year according to the American Chemical Society. The International Agency for
Research on Cancer estimates that cancer rates will rise by 77% between now and 2050. This
data is terrifying at the least. Here’s how you can avoid becoming one of these statistics.
The first major step toward cancer prevention is to lead an active life. That’s going to
mean moving daily. In 2014, a team of scientists analyzed data from over 1 million people,
finding that bladder cancer risk was reduced by 13% when individuals spent their free time being
physically active. Whether it’s going on a 20 minute jog, playing pickleball with friends, or
filling a day with walking, movement will put your body in the state it was meant to be,
preventing as many cancer-causing errors at the microscopic level. In short: a sedentary life is
the death of human health. Biologically, exercising reduces the amount of carcinogenic
hormones like estrogen as well as releasing myokines, proteins that help the immune system kill
cancer cells, into your bloodstream.

The other main effort that may substantially decrease your risk of developing cancer is
being meticulous in choosing what food you eat. Today, many cured and processed meats like
ham or bacon contain added nitrates and nitrites to increase shelf life and enhance taste;
unfortunately, these chemicals also react with organic compounds in your body to produce
nitrosamines, which are known to be carcinogenic. As is the case with thousands of other
processed foods that are commonplace in today’s world: manufacturers use carcinogenic
chemicals to make a more favorable product, resulting in increased profits. An effective way to
avoid carcinogens in foods is to do your due diligence at the grocery store; research which
manufacturers use carcinogens in their process and develop a list of companies and products that
you know are pure and trustworthy. In this day and age, this may be difficult, but the alternative
outcome warrants this cautiousness.

It takes a significant step away from today’s normalized lifestyles to avoid this trend of
rising cancer rates. But taking initiative in your way of life and dietary habits today can bring a
future where the obnoxious shadow of cancer fades.