Turkey Public Health Institution Cancer Department According to cancer statistics of 2009, the most common childhood cancer in our country is acute lymphocytic leukemia. Then, in order of frequency, brain tumors, neuroblastoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms tumor, acute myeloid leukemia, bone tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and retinoblastoma come.
Let’s learn how we can protect children from cancer by examining other articles.
The children of parents who have correct and regular eating habits and a healthy lifestyle will lead a healthy life and stay away from obesity, just like their families.
-Eat together as a family whenever possible.
-Set an example for your child with your behavior. Children imitate movements rather than speech.
-Restrict TV viewing hours. Allow him to watch TV no more than 2 hours a day.
-Ensure your child does at least 1 hour of physical activity a day.
-Make your child a habit of having breakfast every morning. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it positively affects the brain power.
-Prohibit your child from consuming sugary drinks (soda, artificial fruit juices and cola etc.) Ensure that they drink natural fruit juices and plenty of water.
-Be careful to have more natural food and drinks in your home. Encourage your child to consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain products daily.
-Restrict your child’s consumption of fast food, junk food and sugary foods and drinks.
– Prevent your child from consuming very salty and very sweet foods and drinks. Remember that while salt harms healthy cells, sugar feeds cancer cells.
– Breastfeed your child for at least 6 months.
-We can protect our children from cancer by regularly eating vegetables-fruits, white-red meat and fresh fish.
Arrange your child’s diet so that he or she consumes natural vegetables-fruits, white-red meat and fresh fish instead of processed meat (sausage sausage, sausage, salami, etc.) and ready-made foods. Arrange your child’s diet so that he consumes natural vegetables-fruits, white-red meat and fresh fish instead of processed meat (sausage, sausage, salami, etc.) and ready-made foods. Ensure that he consumes fresh vegetables such as cabbage, collard greens, purslane, spinach, broccoli, cress, cauliflower. Make sure that these vegetables are organically grown without chemical pesticides. Organic vegetables mean plenty of vitamins, minerals and omega 3.
If we take into account the recent studies showing that our children have vitamin K deficiency, our children who consume organic and naturally grown vegetables will have enough vitamins and minerals.
Many studies have shown that children who do not consume fruit at all have an increased risk of developing cancer later in life. Make sure the fruits are grown organically without the use of chemicals. Remember that organically grown fruits mean plenty of vitamins, minerals and omega 3.
Fish increases the IQ level of your children with the oil and protein it contains and provides your children with an excellent nutrition. It is a food that has great benefits for human health with its oil content.
We must ensure that our children consume milk and dairy products in a balanced way.
Some studies have found a link between dairy products (milk, eggs, cheese, etc.) and cancer risk. However, based on this information, it is not correct to keep children away from milk and dairy products. However, as with every food, it is not right to exaggerate with the thought that milk and dairy products will be beneficial. In addition, milk can make it difficult for your child to feed on other foods, as it suppresses the appetite. For this reason, as in our perspective on all foods, balanced consumption is the most valuable approach.
The effect of tobacco and secondhand smoke on childhood cancers
Children imitate their parents by looking at them. Do not allow anyone in your family to smoke and do not smoke in your home. According to data obtained in 2010, smoking among children and youth is decreasing. In the last 10 years, awareness-raising activities on the consequences of the use of tobacco products have continued without slowing down. However, families need to be constantly vigilant in this regard. Studies have shown that more than 25% of children aged 12 and over smoke regularly, which is no small number.
Lung cancer is still the most common type of cancer that causes loss of life in approximately 85% of the cases seen. Considering that approximately 80% of smokers start smoking before the age of 18, it is necessary for families to tell their children about the harms of smoking and the benefits of living a smoke-free life for human health. To set an example for parents who smoke, quitting smoking will both reduce the risk of lung, mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreatic cancers and heart diseases, as well as have a positive effect on their children.
Cancer prevention with cervical cancer vaccine (HPV vaccine)
Human papilloma virus vaccine (HPV) vaccine, which is administered to girls between the ages of 12-15 in our country, protects the uterus from two types of HPV infection with high risk. broke new ground in oral cancer. Vaccines used to protect against HPV 16 and 18, which cause 70% of uterine cancers, are Gardasil® and Cervarix®. Gardasil also protects against HPV 6 and 11, which cause genital warts. The HPV vaccine has the potential to eliminate the risk of uterine cancer and cervical cancer. It is important to know that these vaccines are used to prevent HPV infection and are not intended to treat cervical cancer or infection. Since HPV infection usually occurs when the person starts an active sexual life, it will be possible to be protected from this virus with the vaccine made before, that is, when the person is young. It should not be forgotten that the protection of the vaccine given in advanced ages also decreases. You should not take the decision to have your child vaccinated individually, and you should definitely talk to your doctor about the profit and loss.
The effect of the sun’s harmful UV rays on cancer;
Children Another type of cancer to watch out for is skin cancer. It will be enough to take simple precautions to protect our children from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, which plays an active role in 90% of the development of skin cancer. Children require special attention. Children who spend a lot of time by the sea or playing outside are more likely to get sunburned and are unaware of the impending danger. When parents and caregivers go out to protect children from the harmful rays of the sun, make it a habit to dress your child as indoors as possible, wear a hat, and apply sunscreen. Teach your children about the harmful rays of the sun when they are a little older. If your child burns easily in the sun, you should be even more careful, dress indoors, apply sunscreen with a protection factor of at least +30, and take care not to stay in the sun too long (especially between 10:00 and 16:00 when the sun’s rays are perpendicular). Also, wearing sunglasses that protect your child from UV rays will protect both the eyes and the sensitive skin around them. In addition, babies younger than 6 months should not be exposed to direct sunlight, and protective hats and clothes should be worn, and sunscreen should be applied to the sun-exposed areas of the baby.
