Intrusive.

Horrible.

Painful.

Emotional.

Physical.

Draining.

Devastating.

Shocking.

Viscous.

Cancer is scary. Cancer is unpredictable. Cancer is deadly. Cancer is everywhere.

My dad has leukemia, my grandma died of kidney cancer, my uncle died of lung cancer, and my friend died of breast cancer. I can't imagine that anyone hasn't been affected by cancer in someone way or another, whether it be your family, relatives, friend, co-worker, etc. It is everywhere whether you want it there or not!

There really aren't enough words to describe cancer, if there are really any at all. I can't speak from having cancer but I can speak from cancer being around me and the fear of ever having it. Cancer is a tricky thing. You don't usually know when it's coming or see it coming. You could be having the best day of your life and suddenly find out you or someone else you know has cancer. You could have cancer right now and not even know yet. That's how scary it is. With all the different types of cancers today who knows if it's really preventable. If it's not one thing causing cancer it's another.

One obvious prevention step is to not ingest tobacco in any way or form. Smoking, chewing, and inhaling chew tobacco can lead to cancer of the bladder, cervix, esophagus, kidney, lip, lung, mouth, pancreas, throat, and voice box (larynx). So I might be safe to say you shouldn't smoke, chew or inhale tobacco. Easier said then done when people around you are smoking, right? Hopefully, the new laws banning smoking will help with this one. I love going out to dinner now and not having to inhale smoke while eating my food. I can actually take the deliciousness of the food now!

Eating healthy is not a guarantee to not get cancer, but it may help reduce the risk. Being healthy could help in a lot of aspects in your life not just involving cancer. Eating healthy, exercising and maintain a healthy weight could be the key to preventing a lot of health issues. Also, easier said than done. There are way too many great foods out there! It's all about portions and moderation.

Another prevention step is protecting yourself from the sun. The sun is everywhere and unless you hide inside all day and only come out at night then you are going to expose yourself to the sun. Even though it's cloudy you are exposing yourself to the sun and if you are out in it for long periods you should always wear sunscreen, or clothing to cover your skin and stay in the shade when possible. And you should avoid using tanning beds. Be proud of your natural skin color!!

There are more prevention steps out there and you should consult your doctor if you are concerned about any of them. Regular screening can't help prevent cancer but it can definitely help in discovering it earlier and have more of a chance of treatment success.

Cancer is terrifying but it's not something that should keep you from living your life. You have to be concerned to a point, but if you are letting it take over your life you are wasting precious time. If you don't have cancer and are scared that you do take all the steps to preventing it and get screened. There is no since in worrying about something you don't have or don't think you have. But don't ignore cancer, if it runs in your family especially, get screened!