4 Reasons Why It's Better to Spend on Breast Cancer Prevention

 Breast cancer is one of the most fatal diseases in women. As per a WHO report, 65% cases in India are diagnosed only when they reach stage III or IV - an advanced stage of the disease. Cancers can only be cured successfully if they are detected early. Early detection of breast cancer is the key to treatment, cure, quality of life, and survival - and the key to early detection is 'preventive health checkup'.

Some people think health checkups are costly or not worth the cost. But they are actually cheaper than finding treatment for cancer that has advanced. Health checkup is like getting servicing your body. Here are four reasons why spending money on preventing breast cancer makes more sense.

1. It gives you peace of mind along with actionable information

Your checkup reports your current status of health. Based on that you can be at peace that your health is perfect, or you could take corrective lifestyle actions for preventing the risks your reports indicated.

2. It saves your out-of-pocket or unexpected expenditures 

Cost of health checkups are way lower than treatment, especially when the stage of cancer is at an advanced stage. Moreover, early detection through checkups gives you an edge - survival.

Have a look at the comparison of modalities of treatment, survival rate and cost of treatment in various stages of breast cancer.

3. It avoids stress and mental trauma for the sufferer and their families

Regular health screenings can save the patient and their family from trauma, pain, mental agony and financial setback - if you compare, you'll see that the cost of prevention is almost negligible.

Breast cancer at Stage 1 is definitely curable; at Stage 2 it is highly manageable. However, if it reaches Stage 3 or 4, it is very difficult to treat, and survival reduces to a few years.

4. It is an investment for your overall health

Health checkups are your tool in prevention. Ideally, you should go for routine full body health checkups at least once a year. It helps you in understanding the performance and functioning of the organs, hormones and metabolism in your body, any abnormalities or deficiencies that might be developing, and the risks that you might have towards certain diseases. As your lifestyle affects your health over time, you should be regular with your screenings. You might be able to cure deficiencies and disease risks including breast cancer with minor lifestyle improvements. 

Stay a step ahead of breast cancer, book your cancer screening tests like sono-mammography and more in this comprehensive health checkup package.

How Much Exercise Should You Do If You Have Type 2 Diabetes?

It is important to be physically active if you have an existing lifestyle health condition like type 2 diabetes. At least 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week is recommended to keep your body functions healthy and maintain an ideal weight. Exercising is an important part of managing your blood sugar and keeping diabetes in control.

 

Why is diabetes management important for your health?

Diabetes, if not controlled, can affect the other functions of your body, hence managing your blood glucose levels is very important. You need to maintain your blood sugar level along with your blood pressure and cholesterol levels to prevent other chronic health conditions that can develop when you have diabetes.

 

Ideal workouts for diabetes management

Your workout routine should be tailored to meet the specific needs of your body, age and existing health conditions. 

• Aerobic exercises - they require repeated movements of your large muscle groups. Walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming are some aerobic exercises. 

• Resistance training - these are strength training exercises that include using weights, like weight machines or resistance bands. 

• Flexibility exercises - they help in improving your range of motion around the joints of your bones. They also give your body the perfect balance and prevent falls.

 

If you were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetics, it is quite possible you have been living a sedentary lifestyle. You need to start exercising - start slow and increase gradually.

 

Recommended lifestyle actions to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes

• Maintain a healthy body weight

• Be physically active - exercise daily

• Consume a nutritious diet

• Cut out junk foods and sugar

• Stop smoking

• Get yourself screened every 6 months

 

Regular full body health checkups are essential for the prevention of type 2 diabetes. In case you already have diabetes, you should plan the frequency of your health screenings with your doctor to prevent other chronic lifestyle diseases. Book your health checkup now.

Which is More Dangerous or Heart Health, High Triglyceride or High Total Cholesterol ?

 

The difference between triglycerides and cholesterol

Triglycerides are defined as the type of blood fat that is used for energy. On the other hand, cholesterol is a fatty, wax kind of matter produced by your liver. Cholesterol is used by the body to build cells, vitamins and hormones. The levels of triglyceride and cholesterol are important health markers. Monitoring their levels can help you keep them in a healthy range and prevent many diseases.

Triglycerides ranges

• Normal: less than 150 mg/dL

• Borderline: between 151–199 mg/dL

• High: more than 200 mg/dL

• Very high: more than 500 mg/dL

High levels of triglyceride can be a sign of other health conditions and as well as increase the risk of some diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and inflammation of pancreas.

Cholesterol ranges

• Normal: 199 mg/dL or less

• Borderline: between 200–239 mg/dL

• High: more than 240 mg/dL

High cholesterol in the blood can put you at risk of a heart attack and other heart diseases. Cholesterol build up in the arteries can cause atherosclerosis - the formation of plaques which can restrict the flow of blood.

Effect of combined levels of triglyceride and cholesterol 

The combination of high or low cholesterol with high triglycerides levels is a cause for concern. It can result in fatty build up in your arteries that can in turn increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

How to prevent diseases due to irregular triglyceride and cholesterol levels

Your food, exercise and complete lifestyle habits play a significant role in maintaining your triglyceride and cholesterol levels. High or low levels of cholesterol or triglycerides, or a combination of both indicate health disorders. It can put you at risk of cardiovascular disease and other health conditions. 

Regular full body health checkups are important for analyzing, assessing and identifying the changes in your triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Health screenings also identify other underlying health conditions that may have arisen due to the improper levels of triglyceride and cholesterol. 

Get your full body health checkup done now and modify your lifestyle to prevent the health conditions you are at high risk.