Cancer Prevention Month triggers me.
Does it mean it’s up to me to prevent cancer? If only it were that simple.
As someone with several family members with cancer, I’m acutely aware of my own risk. Every time I hear about “cancer prevention,” it feels overwhelming—like a burden. I used to avoid thinking too much about it because, honestly, the idea that I could somehow prevent cancer felt both empowering and terrifying. But my curiosity (and probably my anxiety) pushed me to dig deeper into what cancer prevention really meant to me.
Through research, reading, and lots of reflection, I started breaking it down in a way that made sense for me:
Things I Can Control:
My lifestyle: I know what I eat, how much I move, and how I sleep all play a role.
My environmental exposure: I've been upgrading and opting for clean brands for household and beauty products, and cooking utensils.
My screenings and check-ups routine: This one is fully in my control, and I stay on top of it.
What I Can’t Control:
My genes
My cells
Screening results
I try to focus on what’s in my hands and let go of the rest.
Over the past few years, I’ve made small, sustainable changes—cutting back on alcohol and processed meats (I probably have them once a month or less), drinking green tea daily, and making an effort to eat 5 portions of fruits and veggies every day. I know I don’t move as much as I should on work days but I try doing short workouts and compensating on the weekends.
Am I perfect? Nope. I try to do the best I can that fits into my life without stressing me out. Step by step I know I'm going in the right direction and I feel empowered by my decisions.
For me, cancer prevention is about making choices that help me live a healthier, happier life— without driving me crazy in the process — and knowing that if one day I hear the bad news, I know I did the best that I could.
What does cancer prevention mean to you?
This month, we're deep-diving into risk-reduction strategies and we'll cover the main "controllable" areas of our lifestyles: movement, nutrition, stress, and sleep. Watch our blog and social media to learn a few tricks to reduce your risk and improve your overall wellbeing.
