Table of contents:
- Various ways to prevent brain cancer
- 1. Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure
- 2. Avoid exposure to chemicals
- 3. Controlling any medical conditions or diseases that you experience
- A variety of foods that can help prevent brain cancer
- 1. Olive oil
- 2. Fish
- 3. Other foods to improve brain health
Brain cancer is a disease characterized by the growth of malignant brain tumors. This disease is difficult to cure completely. The treatment given is generally aimed at slowing down the development of tumor cells or relieving symptoms of brain cancer. Therefore, prevention of brain cancer is very important. So, how do you prevent brain cancer? In addition, are there any types of brain cancer preventing foods that can be included in the diet?
Various ways to prevent brain cancer
Brain cancer can occur due to the growth of a malignant tumor in the brain (primary) or the spread of cancer cells from other organs to the brain (secondary). However, the cause of brain cancer is not certain. Therefore, there is no one sure way to prevent this disease.
However, you can reduce your risk of getting this disease by avoiding various factors that might cause it. Here are some ways you can help prevent brain cancer:
1. Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure
Exposure to high levels of radiation, such as radiotherapy for cancer treatment, is a risk factor for brain cancer. Therefore, avoiding radiation exposure can be one way to reduce the risk of developing this disease.
If you have certain cancers, consult your doctor about the right treatment and minimal risks. The doctor will certainly choose the type of treatment that is more beneficial for you than the risks or side effects it will cause.
If necessary and possible, the doctor may limit the radiation dose as much as possible or change the type of treatment according to your condition. Always discuss with your doctor about these possibilities.
2. Avoid exposure to chemicals
Exposure to certain industrial chemicals or solvents, such as vinyl chloride, aromatic hydrocarbons, triazines, and N-nitroso compounds, is said to increase a person's risk of developing this disease.
Although it is still a matter of debate, several studies have found that cases of brain cancer are more common in individuals who work in oil refineries, rubber factories, and manufacturing drugs, which are related to the above chemicals.
Therefore, one way that can help you prevent brain cancer is to reduce your exposure to these chemicals, especially if you work in a related industry. You can reduce exposure by wearing gloves, masks, protective clothing, or a respirator while you work.
Take a shower and change your clothes before leaving the office. Also wash your work clothes separately from other clothes because it is feared that they have been contaminated with chemicals from the workplace. Don't forget to always follow the safety and health instructions that have been set by your company.
Apart from the workplace, you also need to avoid exposure to other chemicals that you might encounter on a daily basis, namely from cigarettes. Therefore, you should stop smoking or avoid secondhand smoke to help prevent brain cancer.
3. Controlling any medical conditions or diseases that you experience
In addition to the two things above, you can prevent brain cancer by keeping certain medical conditions or diseases under control. This is because diseases associated with a weak immune system, such as HIV, or certain genetic disorders can be a risk factor for brain cancer.
Therefore, if you have one of the diseases or disorders above, you should keep your medical condition in check. You can do this by regularly seeing a doctor or undergoing treatment as recommended.
Having this disease or disorder is not sure to have brain cancer in the future. But there is nothing wrong with maintaining your medical condition so that your health is maintained in carrying out daily activities.
A variety of foods that can help prevent brain cancer
In addition to the three prevention methods above, you also need to adopt a healthy lifestyle to help prevent brain cancer. Indeed, there is no specific lifestyle linked to brain tumors or cancer. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle can improve your health so that you avoid the risk of various diseases.
Apart from exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight, another healthy lifestyle that needs to be applied is a balanced nutritious diet and choosing foods that are proven to be good for brain health. Here are some foods that are believed to improve brain health, which might prevent brain cancer in the future:
1. Olive oil
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Edinburgh in the UK found that oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid present in olive oil, is able to stop the activity of proteins that trigger cancer formation in brain cells.
However, these findings have only been carried out in the laboratory. Therefore, further studies are needed to prove that these foods can help prevent brain cancer.
2. Fish
Based on research published in the Nutrition Journal in 2017, eating fish can reduce a person's risk of developing brain tumors or cancer. These foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, high in protein and minerals, and low in fat and cholesterol, which are beneficial to body health and have neuroprotective properties.
Several animal studies have also shown that the unsaturated fatty acids in fish exhibit anti-tumor effects through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting growth or boosting the immune system to fight cancer.
However, further research is needed to prove that these foods can prevent or prevent brain cancer.
3. Other foods to improve brain health
In addition to the two types of food above, you can also consume several other foods because they are believed to improve brain health. These foods include:
- Walnuts.
- Flaxseed or linseed.
- Turmeric.
- Blueberry.
- Brown rice.
- Onion.
- Whole grain.
- Nuts.
- Whole grains.
- Various vegetables and fruits, such as spinach, tomatoes, apples (especially the skin), broccoli, and others.