Ways to Prevent Cancer in Children

Let us examine these articles to learn how to protect our children from cancer.

Children of parents with appropriate, regular eating habits and healthy lifestyles will similarly live healthily and avoid obesity

• Eat together as a family whenever possible.
• Set an example through behavior. Children imitate actions more than words.
• Limit television time to at most 2 hours daily.
• Ensure at least 1 hour of physical activity daily.
• Establish daily breakfast habits. Breakfast is the most important meal and positively affects brainpower.
• Prohibit sugary drinks (soda, artificial fruit juices, cola, etc.). Provide natural juices and plenty of water.
• Keep more natural foods and drinks at home. Encourage plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains daily.
• Limit fast food, junk food and sugary foods and drinks.
• Prevent very salty and very sweet foods and drinks. Remember that salt harms healthy cells while sugar feeds cancer cells.
• Breastfeed for at least 6 months.
• Regular vegetables, fruit, white and red meat and fresh fish can protect our children from cancer.

Arrange your child's diet around natural fruit, vegetables, white and red meat and fresh fish instead of processed meat (sucuk, sausages, salami, etc.) and ready-made foods. Arrange your child's diet around natural fruit, vegetables, white and red meat and fresh fish instead of processed meat (sucuk, sausages, salami, etc.) and ready-made foods. Provide fresh vegetables such as cabbage, collard greens, purslane, spinach, broccoli, cress and cauliflower. Ensure they are organically grown without chemical treatments. Organic vegetables mean abundant vitamins, minerals and omega 3.

Given recent research showing vitamin K deficiency in our children, organically and naturally grown vegetables will provide sufficient vitamins and minerals.

Many studies show that children eating no fruit have increased cancer risk later in life. Ensure fruit is organically grown without chemical treatments. Remember that organic fruit means abundant vitamins, minerals and omega 3.

Fish raises children's IQ through its fat and protein and provides excellent nutrition. Its fat content offers major health benefits.

Ensure balanced milk and dairy intake. As with all foods, excess based on perceived benefits is inappropriate. Milk suppresses appetite and may hinder eating other foods. Balanced consumption is therefore most valuable.

Effects of Tobacco and Passive Smoking on Childhood Cancers

Children imitate parents. Do not allow smoking by family members or at home. Data from 2010 show declining tobacco use among children and young people. For the past 10 years, awareness efforts have continued unabated, but families must remain alert. Research shows children aged 12 and older regularly smoke at a rate above %25, a substantial figure.

Lung cancer remains among the most common cancers, causing death in approximately %85 of cases. Around %80 of smokers started before age 18, so families must explain harms and smoke-free living's health benefits. Parents quitting to set an example reduce lung, mouth, esophageal, bladder, kidney, pancreatic cancer and heart disease risks and positively influence children.

Cancer Prevention with Cervical Cancer Vaccination (HPV Vaccine)<

Recommended for girls and boys from ages 11-12, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination opened a new era in cervical cancer by protecting against two high-risk types. Gardasil® and Cervarix® protect against the types responsible for %70 of cervical cancers, HPV 16 and 18. Gardasil also protects against genital-wart-causing HPV 6 and 11. HPV vaccination has potential to eliminate uterine and cervical cancer risk. These vaccines prevent infection rather than treat cervical cancer or infection. Because HPV usually appears after sexual activity begins, earlier vaccination while young can prevent it. Protection declines when vaccination occurs later in life. Do not decide alone; discuss benefits and harms with your physician.

Effects of Harmful Solar UV on Cancer

Skin cancer also deserves attention in children. Simple precautions protect them from harmful UV, which contributes to %90 of skin cancers. Children need special attention: seaside or outdoor play increases sunburn likelihood, and they are unaware of danger. Parents and caregivers should cover children, use hats and establish sunscreen habits outdoors. Teach older children about harmful sunlight. For children burning easily, take extra care: cover them, use at least +30 sunscreen and limit sun exposure, particularly between 10:00-16:00 when rays are direct. UV-protective sunglasses protect eyes and surrounding delicate skin. Babies younger than 6 months must avoid direct sunlight; use protective hats and clothing and sunscreen on exposed areas.

According to the Turkish Public Health Institution Cancer Department's 2009 statistics, the most common childhood cancer here is acute lymphocytic leukemia. Next, in order, are brain tumors, neuroblastoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms tumor, acute myeloid leukemia, bone tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and retinoblastoma.