Do you know what your risk of having cancer is

Answer the questions and discover how to reduce your cancer risk.

Around one in four cancer cases among Malaysians are potentially preventable by making changes to at least one of these risk factors of cancer or:

  • Smoking or tobacco use
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Excess weight
  • Physical inactivity
  • Sun exposure

Small changes in your lifestyle can contribute substantially to reducing your cancer risk.

Take this interactive cancer quiz to find out actionable steps to decrease your risk of cancer.

1. Do you smoke? If yes, how often do you smoke?

Smoking is associated with diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Congratulations on avoiding this risk factor! Staying away from smoking is one of the best ways to prevent cancer and maintain your overall health – keep it up!

Smoking occasionally remains harmful for you and the people around you. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can affect the entire body, leading to at least 15 different cancer types. As there is no safe level of smoking, stopping completely is the best decision for your health. It is never too late to quit smoking – the sooner you stop, the lower your cancer risk.

Cancer risk increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke a day. Taking steps to reduce, and eventually quit smoking, can be monumental in decreasing your cancer risk.

It is understandable that stopping completely can be challenging, but many support and products are available to help you kick the habit. Consult your doctor on ways to quit smoking for good.

Cancer risk increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke a day. Taking steps to reduce, and eventually quit smoking, can be monumental in decreasing your cancer risk. The sooner you stop, the lower your cancer risk. Quitting smoking also allows you to reclaim almost 10 years of your life compared to if you continue to smoke.

It is understandable that stopping completely can be challenging, but many support and products are available to help you kick the habit. Consult your doctor on ways to quit smoking for good.

2. In general, do you drink alcohol? If so, how often?

Congratulations for avoiding this risk factor! The less alcohol you consume, the lower your risk of cancer. Drinking alcohol is linked to cancers of the oesophageal, oral cavity, nasopharyngeal, liver, colorectal and breast. It is advisable to not drink, or only drink in moderation. Nevertheless, drinking less alcohol is better for health than drinking too much!

The less alcohol you consume, the lower your risk of cancer. Drinking alcohol is linked to cancers of the oesophageal, oral cavity, nasopharyngeal, liver, colorectal and breast. It is advisable to not drink, or only drink in moderation. Nevertheless, drinking less alcohol is better for health than drinking too much!

The more alcohol you consume, the higher your risk of cancer. Drinking alcohol is linked to cancers of the oesophageal, oral cavity, nasopharyngeal, liver, colorectal and breast. Heavy consumption of alcohol can also lead to other long-term health problems such a liver failure and heart disease. You can take action to reduce your cancer risk by reducing or avoiding alcohol completely. Try cutting down your alcohol consumption, either by drinking in smaller amounts or having more drink-free days.

3. What is your Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Use the following formula to calculate your BMI:

Underweight. Individuals who are underweight are at a higher risk of mouth, oesophageal, stomach and lung cancer; a lower cancer risk is observed for breast and prostate cancer. Research suggests that a BMI between 18.5 – 24.9 kg/m2 is healthier.

Normal. Congratulations, you are in the healthiest BMI range! People with a healthy weight range are at a lower risk of developing cancer. However, even within normal BMI range, higher BMI has been associated with greater risk for some cancers.

Overweight. Individuals who are overweight or obese have an elevated cancer risk compared to those with normal weight. Excess body fat may increase inflammation, as well as promote growth of cells and blood vessels through fluctuating levels of hormones and factors.

Losing weight is a good start to reduce cancer risk, and it is reassuring to know that even a small amount of weight loss has many health benefits.

Obese. Individuals who are overweight or obese have an elevated cancer risk compared to those with normal weight. Excess body fat may increase inflammation, as well as promote growth of cells and blood vessels through fluctuating levels of hormones and factors.

Losing weight is a good start to reduce cancer risk, and it is reassuring to know that even a small amount of weight loss has many health benefits.

4. How would you describe your physical activity levels in a week??

According to The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report, 25% of all cancer cases worldwide are contributed by obesity and physical inactivity. Maintaining an active lifestyle can reduce cancer risk and lead to better health outcomes. Helpful tips to incorporate more activity into your daily life include taking the stairs instead of the lift or doing seated exercises at your desk.

According to The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report, 25% of all cancer cases worldwide are contributed by obesity and physical inactivity. Maintaining an active lifestyle can reduce cancer risk and lead to better health outcomes. It is recommended to have 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. It is always better to move more than less, so try to keep moving as much as possible!

You spend a good amount of time doing moderate or vigorous exercises such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling or yoga most days of the week (150-300 minutes/week). Moderate-to-vigorous activities can protect against various types of cancers (colon, breast, kidney, liver, endometrium, myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma). Keeping active is also key to maintaining a healthy weight. Keep up the good job!

5. Do you have some form of protection from sun exposure when you go outside?

Protecting your skin from sunlight means reducing your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can potentially cause DNA damage. Although most skin cancers result from excessive exposure to sunlight, getting an optimal amount of sunlight actually helps in producing vitamin D which lowers cancer risk.

When heading out during the day, remember to protect yourself from excessive UV radiation by staying in the shade, covering your skin with clothing, wearing a hat, and using sunscreen regularly. If possible, avoid going out when the UV rays are at its strongest, usually between 10am to 4pm.

Protecting your skin from ultraviolet rays from the sun lowers your risk of skin cancer. Continue making sun protection an everyday habit. Enjoy the sunlight safely and in moderation!

Make an appointment at Pantai Hospitals

If you experience any signs and symptoms of cancer or would like to be screened for cancer, get in touch with us to find out more about our Oncology Services at your nearest Pantai Hospital.

A dedicated multidisciplinary team of specialists and oncologists at Pantai Hospitals is available for consultation to provide the best care and assistance to patients through screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Pantai Hospitals have been accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) for its commitment to patient safety and service quality.

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