It is avoidable and clearly impossible to be able to control our surroundings completely but there are many things we can control. Examples of ‘avoidable pollution’, all leading causes of cancer, are:

1. smoking
2. drinking
3. sunbathing
4. unsafe sex
5. working in dangerous surroundings at home or work

Smoking
    Smoking causes cancer of the lung, throat, kidneys, pancreas and the bladder, all of which are difficult to treat and may be fatal. It is also worth remembering that smoking is a leading cause of heart disease, which kills many people even than cancer. So the moral here is to cut out smoking altogether if you can, or reduce it to a minimum if you can’t.

Drinking
   Smoking and drinking often go together, and they obviously give much pleasure but they can also cause cancer of the mouth and throat. Too much alcohol can also lead to cancer of the liver and pancreas. So, the moral here is again, cut your intake of alcohol down to a level where it will still give you pleasure but do you no harm. But, alcohol is best avoided for those with cancer if possible.

Sunbathing
   Cancer of the skin, frequently caused by the ultraviolet rays of the sun. sunbathing should always be done in easy stages using sunscreens. But sunscreens are not a protection against skin cancer in spite of advertising that says they are. The lesson her is always, but always, cover up, wearing a hat and long-sleeved clothing, when the sun is at its height.

Unsafe sex
   Herpes, a virus that can be passed from one sexual partner to another,is linked to cervical cancer as are genital warts – also passed on through sex. Lack of sex has been suggested as a reason for prostate cancer in older men. The gland may have become cancerous because of its under-use by men as they have got older.

Hazardous surroundings at home or work
    You are definitely at risk of cancer if you are routinely surrounded by industrial dust and other substances, and probably at risk if constantly subject to electromagnetic fields from appliances such as computers and microwave ovens. Protect yourself from dangerous dust by always wearing a face mask and protective clothing or by following safely advice.

Radiation pollution

1. Make sure computer screens have a filter over then and do not sit or work close (within a meter) of a TV or computer screen or within two meters of the back or sides of another computer monitor, television screen or other form of visual display unit.
2. Do not live or work close to high-voltage power-lines the electromagnetic radiation fields extends several hundred yards).
3. Always turn off electrical appliances, esp. computer, when not needed.
4. Make sure floors and inlets of buildings subject to radioactive radon gas from granite rocks are properly sealed and tested and have under-floor ventilation.
5. Do not have unnecessary X-rays and if you do have one make sure the dentist or doctor puts a protective bib or shield over any part not being X-rayed and have lots of iodine in your diet at the same time – for e.g. kelp tablets – as this helps to expel the radioactive from your system).
6. Avoid clocks and watches with luminous dials.

Packaging pollutants
   Many packaging materials contain small amounts of cancer-causing substances that can get into food and drink, esp. those based on plastic materials such as transparent film for wrapping up food, milk and juice cartons and plastic bottles. Use waxed paper or foil in china, earthenware, glass or stainless-steel containers.

Air pollution

1. Wear a face-mask or wrap a fine-weave scarf around your nose and mouth.
2. Beware of inhaling smoke from fires, esp. from burning plastic and rubber.
3. Inside, never sit in a room of smokers or where there is a coal or wood fire without proper ventilation.
4. Avoid products with formaldehyde such as cavity-wall insulation and pressed timbers.