- Know the ins and outs of meats and carcinogens.
- Quit smoking.
According to The Guardian, processed and cured meats are considered to be Group 1 carcinogens. These are carcinogens that the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization, classifies as carcinogenic to humans. Further, how meat is prepared can expose us to carcinogens.
The Guardian says that the chemicals of concern are called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Cooking meat at high temperatures is a contributing factor, meaning that perfectly planned cookout may not be as healthy as you thought.
The good news is that you make changes to lower your risk. "The recommendation to cut down on grilled meat has really solid scientific evidence behind it," Cheryl Lyn Walker, Ph.D., professor of carcinogenesis at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, tells Prevention. However, adding rosemary and thyme to marinades can decrease the risk. In fact, researchers at Kansas State University found that these spices may reduce HCAs by up to 87 percent.
We all know that smoking causes cancer, but we often don’t really know why.
According to the American Cancer Society, cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of which more than 70 are carcinogens. While smoking may look fun and glamorous, the risks associated with it can be fatal.
So start to cut down on smoking and make a goal of quitting. If you don’t want to quit cold turkey, cut down by one or two cigarettes a week. The important thing is to take steps to make it to the end goal of giving up the habit. And remember that e-cigarettes are said to be just as bad for your health as the real deal.