15 things cancer doctors do to avoid cancer

“People underestimate the power of not just living a healthy life, but a happy one too. It is essential to lowering my risk of getting cancer and also my overall wellbeing to have balance in life. I work towards finding things that make me happy in all areas, whether it is in my work or during personal time. Reducing stress and taking time for things that give me joy are just as important as eating well and exercising.” —Dr David Poulad

“In addition to my formal marathon training, I add informal movements throughout the day like taking walking breaks at work and doing push-ups with my kids on my back at home. Many studies have shown that exercise reduces all causes of death, cancer incidence and cancer deaths.” –Dr Matthew McCurdy, PhD

“Multiple studies, including a recent randomised trial published in JAMA, suggest that the Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil can help prevent cancer. I try to follow this by eating a whole-foods plant-based diet that includes broccoli, turmeric and garlic and limits refined sugar, refined carbohydrates, saturated animal fats and toxic chemicals and pesticides.” —Matthew McCurdy, PhD, a radiation oncologist 

“Most people are unaware that certain viruses can cause cancer and that there are available vaccines specifically to prevent some cancers. I’m partnering with The Prevent Cancer Foundation for their campaign ‘Think About the Link’ aimed at letting people know how important it is to get vaccinated for HPV (the virus that accounts for 70% of cervical cancers), hepatitis B and hepatitis C.” —Dr Erich M. Sturgis, a professor in the department of head and neck surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

“Clean eating can go a long way in managing your cancer risk. For me this primarily means avoiding processed foods and excessive sugar. In addition, I try to eat a diet high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbohydrates. But the key is to always avoid processed foods.” —Dr Omar Llaguna, a surgical oncologist and assistant professor of surgery

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Source: RD.com