Five Ways to Prevent Cancer at Home

Read on to learn how changing up your daily routine can increase the possibility of cancer prevention.

1. Avoid Using Traditional Pesticides

While no one wants bugs munching on their plants, traditional chemical-laden pesticides aren’t necessarily the safest option to use, particularly when you’re concerned with cancer prevention. Some pesticides contain chemicals such as organochlorine, organophosphate, and carbamate, which are not just toxic but persist in the environment for years to come.

Traditional pesticides don’t just kill their intended targets but wreak havoc on the environment around them. In addition to killing the insects, they also negatively impact animals, plants, and the water source nearby, which can harm humans.

Instead, use alternative pesticides such as natural oils, salt, dried chile pepper, and vinegar. These solutions will remove the pests and weeds without harming the environment or the people who live there.

2. Seek Out Alternative Cleaning Solutions for Cancer Prevention

While it’s important to keep your home clean and sanitary, it’s equally important that you take care to use safe solutions to keep your home sparkling. Even common products such as spot removers contain possible carcinogen perchloroethylene, which is a neurotoxin. Even those cleaners that don’t contain chemicals that are classified as carcinogen still use harmful ingredients— even the ubiquitous antibacterial soaps can endanger the health and well-being 0f people who use them.

Instead, it’s important to use natural substances when you clean. Common household products such as vinegar, water, and citrus peels can create cleansers that are effective and safe. These will be safe for you and your family as well as the environment.

3. Cook With An Eye Toward Cancer Prevention

Non-stick cookware is undeniably convenient, but is that convenience worth ingesting dangerous chemicals? When non-stick coating is heated, it releases perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, which is related to health issues such as thyroid disease, infertility, and organ damage. Non-stick pans also contain PFCs, or perfluorinated compounds, which are considered to be a likely carcinogen by the EPA.

If you can’t resist the lure of easy cleanup, be sure to frequently replace your non-stick cookware to avoid ingesting the bits of coating that inevitably come loose over time. Otherwise, avoid non-stick pots and pans together.

4. Be Wary of Air Quality

Many homeowners take the opportunity to improve their home’s appearance in their spare time. Projects such as painting or refinishing woodwork can spruce up your home, but be careful. Products such as low-VOC paint coupled with proper ventilation will ensure that your air quality is unimpaired.

Additionally, avoid formaldehyde-laden laminates and wood composites, and be sure to use clean-burning wood stoves that are well-ventilated. Repair chimney or exhaust pipe leaks immediately, and you’ll breathe easy.

5. Clean for Cancer Prevention

Dust isn’t just unsightly, but also a toxic chemical trap. Phthalates, which are commonly found in vinyl materials, and flame retardants are the most common culprits, but there are also phenols, fluorinated chemicals, and fragrances. These materials aren’t just breathed in, but also absorbed by the skin.

Children are particularly susceptible to exposure, as they spend a great deal of time on the floor. Purchase a HEPA filter vacuum, and dust in a manner that actually removes dust, not stirring it up.

Cleaning for a Reason

Helping Hands Cleaning Services is proud to provide free house cleaning for women with cancer. We partner with Cleaning for a Reason, allowing women going through cancer treatment to enjoy some normalcy in the midst of the chaos and discomfort of chemo.

It’s a simple process; patients complete an application for pre-qualification with Cleaning for a Reason, and then they’re matched to a cleaning company. Women interested in using Helping Hands Cleaning Services should specify that on their application, and as soon as they’re approved, the service will contact them to schedule their cleaning.

Helping Hands Cleaning Services has provided 200 free cleanings so far, and we’re eager to offer more in the future. Interested in working with us? Contact us today!