Cancer is a fear-inducing condition and there are people who still fear saying the word. Every year 100,000 South Africans are diagnosed with cancer and what is truly shocking is that environmental and lifestyle factors, including smoking, lack of exercise and a poor diet are the main causes of a significant percentage of these cases.

Here are some quick tips for reducing your risk of awakening those cancer cells:

1. Live a healthy lifestyle, including enjoying regular exercise and eating healthily.

Vitamins and macronutrients being fed to the body consistently can play a big role in lower your risk of cancer. So, eat a variety of fruit and vegetables and ensure you get in your Omega 3 fatty acids from healthy fat sources. That includes nuts, seeds, fish like salmon or sardines and choose a healthy cooking oil like B-well Canola Oil. Canola Oil carries the CANSA Smart Choice Seal because it has the perfect Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio of 2:1, which benefits the body in terms of cancer risk reduction.

2. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it sits on the outside.

So, externally, what you can do to lower your risk of cancer is wear sunscreen. South Africa has the 2nd highest incidence of skin cancer in the worldafter Australia, and in particular one of the highest incidences of melanomaworldwide, as far as Caucasians are concerned. It doesn’t matter if you are fair or dark, sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays which can cause skin cancer. Make sure you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVB and UVA rays (the latter­ cause skin ­cancer and premature ageing). Products that don’t block UVA, and ones with SPF below 15, must state they only prevent sunburn. Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure, reapplying every 2 hours and using sun protection daily, especially on children playing outdoors.

3. Get regular healthcare.

Many of us fear going to the doctor or clinic or we feel it’s too costly or there’s no time for that. A regular health check-up or health screenings can unearth early signs of disease or help you identify risk factors so you can take action. When diagnosed early, cancer can be treated. For men, go for your PSA Antigen test and have a full physical to ensure your health is in top form. For women, go for a women’s health screening including a check for lumps or abnormalities in the breasts or do a mammogram. Go to your local clinic or your GP and find out what health screenings can be done. You can also visit your local pharmacy where there are nursing sisters who offer cancer screening at a nominal cost.

B-well supports the fight against and would like to encourage the prevention of it through a healthy lifestyle and diet. Together B-well and CANSA have created The Smart Choice Cookbook, featuring a collection of recipes that focuses on healthy cooking methods and ingredients for better living that can positively influence cancer risk reduction. The cookbook covers breakfast, lunch, dinner as well as snacks and treats recipes – all with vegan options too and can be downloaded for free on the B‐well website at www.bwellfoods.co.za