While some cancers are genetic, cancer and aging are not synonymous with one another. According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, 39.6 percent of all men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some during their lifetime. That’s roughly four out of ten people – a number too large to ignore. One important aspect of senior care is staying as healthy as possible, and these tips can help cut your risk of developing cancer.

While many Americans drink soda daily, AARP reports that people who drink soda on a regular basis are up to 87 percent more likely to develop certain types of cancers, specifically pancreatic cancer. The bad news is that this includes people who drink only two or more sodas per week. Current research suggests that this is due to the high amount of sugars in soda that increase insulin production in the body.

Many people are surprised to learn that bottled water may not be as healthy to drink as tap water, according to the National Resources Defense Council. One reason is that it is not as closely monitored or tested as tap water, often containing bacteria and contaminants. One report, commissioned by Switzerland-based World Wildlife Fund International found that the average American drinks two to three servings of bottled water per day. A recent study, reported by AARP, found that up to one-third of bottled water contains carcinogens or other pollutants, resulting in water that is below industry standards.

While exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight and feel good, it can also cut your risk of developing cancer. One type of cancer that exercise can help prevent is breast cancer in older women, according to WebMD. While results of the study showed that breast cancer risk is reduced in postmenopausal women who exercise regularly, the bad news is that the risk returns when exercise ceases.

Just how much exercise is needed? At least four hours of physical activity such as walking or bicycling per week can cut the risk of breast cancer development by up to 10 percent suggests experts.

While there’s been a lot of talk and news coverage on BPA, a chemical commonly found in plastic and canned foods, the harmful chemical is found in about 75 percent of canned foods, states AARP. That number is frightening, as BPA is known to be a carcinogen that causes cancer. Although known to be dangerous, a recent study showed that people who ate canned vegetables five days per week had roughly 1,000 times more BPA in their urine output than those who did not.

If you or an aging loved one are in need or considering care: Call Activa Home Health today @ 561-359-0824.