Since this will be all about lung cancer and how to better prevent it, let’s get the most obvious statement out of the way immediately: The risk for developing lung cancer can be reduced – in older adults and everyone else – if the individual in question stops smoking (provided they smoked to begin with). There. With that out of the way, let’s look at some lifestyle and safety changes your loved one can make for improved respiratory health.
Do you have an aging loved one whom you feel is at risk for lung cancer? The chances of preventing lung cancer in older adults can be significantly improved through the following five effective manners.
Physical Exercise
To help prevent lung cancer, older adults should seriously consider strengthening their lungs through cardiovascular exercise. An exercise regime such as this would be particularly important for a former smoker. Lungs should not be overstressed, however, so your loved one may need to take it easy at first. Whether it’s water aerobics, power walking, or something else, if your loved one has discovered an exercise that’s cardiovascular in nature and enjoyable, try to get them to participate in it four or even three times a week.
Drink Water That’s Purified
Make sure the water has been tested if your loved one drinks from a well or other private water source. To remove harmful toxins, specific treatments are applied to public water sources. Unhealthy elements may appear in private sources, however. The risk of developing lung cancer can be increased by unusually high arsenic levels – which are found in some drinking water sources.
Try to Stay Away from Pollutants
It’s difficult to stay completely away from pollution and pollutants. Toxins like nickel, soot, chromium, tar, asbestos, etc. may already be in your loved one’s system because they were exposed earlier in life (they worked at a chemical plant, in construction, etc.).
Even everyday pollutants, however, should be avoided whenever possible to lessen the chance of lung cancer (diesel engine fumes, for example).
Eat Healthy Food
It helps if your loved one partakes in a healthy diet that is low in fat but rich in vegetables and fruits. Supplements can be used if your loved one experiences nutritional deficits, but with caution. Consult with their physician before starting any supplement or vitamin regimen.
Once Again – If You Smoke, Quit
For anyone who is a smoker, they have probably already had friends and loved ones implore them to stop smoking. Truth be told, people who have never lit up a cigarette in their lives do develop lung cancer. However, current/former smokers make up the majority of lung cancer victims.
The damage done by tobacco immediately starts to dissipate, and lungs begin to repair, the moment a smoker quits. Particularly for older adults, it can be very difficult to give up old, established habits such as this. What’s important, however, is that they cut way down and eventually quit. Some prefer to simply quit cold turkey.
