Lifestyle changes to be cancer free

Here are seven lifestyle nips 'n' tucks that will help improve your odds against cancer

Recent research on the genetics of cancer may give an impression that some are fated for the disease, but that's not necessarily true. Healthy behaviours could prevent about half of all cancer deaths. Here are seven dos and don'ts to reduce your risk of the dreaded disease.

1. Exercise regularly: Be physically fit. Research shows active people have a lower risk of developing colon and breast cancers than people who don't exercise. You don't need to be a superathlete to get the benefits of exercise. Any exercise that raises your heartrate and makes you sweat like brisk walking, biking, dancing or aerobics is beneficial. While at it, ensure that your weight is in the normal range for your height. Keep to a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less. Increases in BMI are linked to endometrial, gall bladder, esophageal, renal, thyroid and colon cancers. Medical experts advise, stay within five to 10 kilos of what you weighed at 18.

2. Cut down on alcohol: Alcohol does not only put a load on your liver and slows
vitamin absorption, but is also a contributing factor to oral cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancer is six times more common in alcohol users than in people who don't drink. Limit your alcohol consumption. This means no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. And steer clear of weekend binge drinking. You tend to consume more alcohol than you would have set out to.

3. No smoking: The graphic packet makes it amply clear that 'cigarette smoking is injurious to health'. Smoking causes a host of cancers, including that of the lung, esophagus, mouth, throat, stomach and pancreas, according to the National Cancer Institute. It's also the leading cause of premature, preventable death. Is this relevant reason enough for smokers to quit the stub?

4. Get sun screened: Protect your skin from the sun. Its ultraviolet rays damage the skin's DNA and can cause genetic mutations that lead to skin cancer. Use sunscreen every time you go outdoors (preferably one with an SPF of 30 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays). Keep covered with a broad hat and sunglasses. Also, stay away from radiation. Avoid exposures to cancercausing substances. Radiation exposures and some chemicals are known to cause cancer. For example, ionizing radiation that comes from gamma rays, high-energy UV rays and X-rays is linked to cancers of the lung, skin, thyroid, breast and stomach.

5. No HRT: Women, as far as you can, avoid taking hormone replacement therapy to treat symptoms of menopause. A number of studies have linked hormone use to an increased risk of uterine cancer. If you need to take hormones, limit the use to less than five years, your gynaecologist would advise.

6. Follow a healthy diet: Eat a colourful diet rich in green leafy vegetables, pink carrots, and red tomatoes. It reduces the risk of cancer. Research suggests that a plant-based diet is associated with reduced risks for several cancers, especially colon cancer. The recommendations include keeping your intake of red meat to no more than four ounces per day. Avoid processed meats, eat at least five servings of a variety of non-starchy vegetables and fruits every day, and minimise your intake of sugary drinks, juices, desserts and candies, refined breads and chips.

7. Go for screening: Get screened for cancer regularly. Screening tests can detect cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, cervix and skin (ask your doctor how often to get them and at what age you should start). Even if you don't have any symptoms, finding cancer early greatly increases your chances of treatment and even cure. Screening tests can include physical exams, blood tests, imaging and X-rays and genetic tests.

There are several medications that have been tested and found effective for reducing risk for cancer. For example, drugs called selective oestrogen receptor modulators can help women with a high risk of developing breast cancer stay cancer-free. But consult your family physician first and do not self-medicate.

The 6 tools every man should own

Go beyond gaming consoles and music players and check out a few practical tools that can help you with home repairs lest an emergency arises...

1. Wire Cutters: Because that tooth you lost as you tried to peel off a particularly tough wire isn't coming back, it's safe to use tools meant for the purpose. A pair of wire cutters always proves handy for any electrical emergencies you may have. Plus it is safe, as the plastic grip at the end prevents you from getting electrocuted.

2. Claw Hammer: After you have drilled a hole in the wall, it is a light claw hammer that is used to drive the nail in. Its claw also helps you pull out old nails, thereby protecting the surface where you're plucking the nail out from. And no, using a pestle is not a good idea as it could damage your fingers as well as your walls. Plus the Mrs won't be too happy either!

3. Leatherman: A multi-purpose knife that makes other knives look like needles, this is a gadget that every man should own. From screwdrivers, to serrated blades, wire cutters, crimpers, pliers, scissors and even can-openers, the array of tools it offers is astonishing and practical. Besides that, you can always improvise with the many adjustments it provides.

4. Electric Drill: There's always space for home improvement. Maybe its that new family photo you want to hang on the wall. Or a new name-plate for the main door. The old fashioned way was to go banging away with the hammer. However, using an electric drill is a smart, clean way of going about things.It gets the work done fast, and there is no noise. So your neighbours don't have to worry about the wall coming down on their heads!

5. Crimpers: A live internet connection is a lifeline. So, when the cables go awry and you face downtime, you don't need to wait for your internet guy to come in and sort your problem. Because if you notice, most times, the guy will just chip off your ethernet cable, put in new RJ45 connector and fix it with a crimper. To avoid all that hassle, all you need is a crimper and a connector and you will be back online in no time, unless the issue is serious.

6. Multimeter: Remember using the old green screwdriver which lit up at the end when you used it to check whether the wire was live? If you did and have lived to read this, you are a lucky man as there was no fuse in those little things to prevent electrocution. Get a digital multimeter instead. It helps measure voltage, current, and resistance and to check whether the power line is functioning and at what level. If the voltage is too high, the in-built fuse that it has, helps avoid electrocution due to a current overload.

10 guilts every woman lives with

According to a recent study, 96 per cent women feel guilty at least once a day, having a destructive effect on their health.

Here are 10 ways to deal with this, that could leave you happy and guilt-free.

Are you sick of reading about how an amazing broccoli-only diet will make you happier, how spending more time with your children will boost their self-esteem, or how decluttering your home could transform your sex life? You're not the only one. According to a recent study, 96 per cent of women feel guilty at least once a day. This can have a destructive effect on our health, even factoring in the onset of depression. Here's how you can beat the 10 most common causes of guilt.

Not spending enough time with your children
A startling majority of working moms feel like they haven't struck the right balance between their work and children. If you're at work worrying about the children, work isn't getting the best out of you and the kids aren't getting anything. You should give your full dedication depending on where you are, whether at work or with the kids. That way everyone, including yourself, benefits.

Not losing extra weight
More than 70 per cent women report being on a diet at any one given time, regardless of whether they are actually overweight or not. If you want to look gorgeous and slim, choose to change your situation and make time to go to the gym or a slimming group. Recognise it is your choice and no one else is to blame.

Spending money on yourself
Going on a shopping spree may be fun, but the after effects can send some into a spiral of self-loathing and guilt. However, if you rationalise your reasons for spending money on a spa break because you need the downtime, or a new business suit because it will help you in your work, then you have no reason to feel guilty.

Your partner is unhappy
If you do feel guilty that you're not doing enough to make your partner happy, then it is suggested that you both sit down and look at your timetables and agree on how you can make more time for each other. Discuss it and come up with a change in your behaviours that will make you both happier as a couple.

Always being late
Sometimes, situations arise which will make us late, no matter how well prepared we are, prompting feelings of guilt and panic. Sitting on a train and getting aggravated about what you could be doing if you were there already is a waste of energy. Ask yourself how you can use the moment? You could write out a full shopping list, rehearse what you want to say in the meeting or call your mother. Sitting there winding yourself up hurts only yourself and no one else.

Not being able to play the perfect hostess
Many women say they would like to put on the perfect dinner party or a drinks bash but they often set themselves high standards that they then fail to meet. The desire for social excellence derives from our need to be perfect all the time. Go on, host your party and be a bad party hostess.The moment you accept you can do it, but do it badly, it takes the pressure off. We give ourselves a lot of 'I should be the perfect dinner party host'. Everyone has a different perception of everything so you can try to host a dinner party but you have to do it your way.

Forgetting birthdays
It's not deliberate. Some of us are running about for 18 hours a day and have a million things to do. If you do feel guilty then simply tell yourself you know you're doing your best, apologise and make clear that it wasn't something done deliberately. If the person chooses to take umbrage, then that's up to them.

Taking out some me-time
Living up to the 'superwoman' image that many women wish to maintain, can lead to terrible feelings of guilt over giving themselves time off to get their hair done or read a book. But doing nothing is very important in allowing us to physically and mentally recharge. But it is very difficult for other people to see you doing nothing and allow yourself to do it. Tell people the truth. That you need a break because you are at your limit - then accept that the world is not going to fall apart without you.

Letting your parents down
Women can inherit guilty feelings through the generations of not doing enough for their elders and in some way failing their parents. Learn to accept that your parents will love and judge you no matter what. Obviously do try and be sensitive but if you go your own way and you are successful and happy, then if they are decent human beings, they'll be happy for you in any way.

Saying 'No'
Saying 'no' is hard because we don't want to be seen as the baddie and because women are taught from a young age to put others first. The first thing to do is to give yourself time to think about each request and it is suggested that you say something noncommittal like, 'That sounds interesting, give me half an hour and I'll get back to you on it'.
If you really don't want to do what they ask, then give the person other options to help solve their problem.

Blood Pressure medications not beneficial after stroke: Study

NEW YORK: Lowering blood pressure during the first 48 hours after a stroke does not reduce the likelihood of death or major disability, claims research.

Blood pressure often is elevated following a stroke.

"In most cases, treatment is unnecessary because the blood pressure declines naturally over time and lowering blood pressure may be contra-indicated," warned stroke specialist Jose Biller at Loyola University Medical Centre.

It is important not to overtreat and cause low blood pressure, because the most important objective is to maintain adequate blood flow to the brain, Biller advised.

Lowering blood pressure has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke. The study investigated whether there also would be a benefit to lowering blood pressure immediately after a stroke.

The study included more than 4,000 stroke patients in 26 hospitals across China who were randomly assigned to receive blood pressure medications or to discontinue blood pressure medications.

At 14 days or hospital discharge, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in mortality or disability, said the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

It involved patients who had suffered ischemic strokes, which account for about 85 percent of all strokes.

Such strokes are caused by blood clots that block blood flow to a part of the brain.

Compliment your man to have a good sex life

Here's a list of things you can say to your man, to let him know that you appreciate him and that he's special

Like the ones from the opposite sex, women are accustomed to receiving compliments - from the random guy at the pub to the street whistler! On the other hand, men rarely get a compliment. So fire off a meaningful compliment to your man and make way for a steaming night ahead.

Boy, you can work it!
Tell your man how awesome he is in the bedroom - this one definitely ranks at the top of his list! A guy dies to hear how good he is at the skills he works so hard to perfect.

What would I do without you?
Guys love to feel needed. Whether it is to help you understand bank work or simply open a jam jar — it is one of the greatest feelings for a man that you can't live without them. Cuddle him and tell him it would have been impossible for you to do anything without him.

Crave to spend more time with you
Sometimes you need to connect with his inner being as well. No matter how much you compliment on his looks or his skills - your efforts will go waste if you don't let him know how much you love him and want to be with him. Tell him that it is his innate characteristics that draw you closer to him.

You are excellent at your job!
Praising your guy's brain power is a must! Every guy wants to know that he is awesome at his task. Go that extra mile and tell him how much you admire him for the way he shows his dedication and loyalty towards his work. This one will touch him....really!

You're so freaking hot!
This is one compliment that will instantly lift his spirits. Complimenting a guy on his good looks is okay, but it is a different thing altogether to tell him what makes him so desirable - serve up his accolade, gently touch his body parts to add an extra sizzle to it.