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From getting enough sleep to eating a healthy diet and staying physically active, these six everyday habits may help reduce cancer risk.
Established health guidance, however, supported regular physical activity and did not generally advise people to avoid vigorous exercise as a cancer-prevention measure (Image used for representation)
A 47-year-old woman, described in an online account, was diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer after initially believing that her persistent tiredness was simply the result of a demanding work schedule. According to the account, she had considered herself healthy before the diagnosis and did not think her fatigue was a sign of a serious problem.
The story highlighted a broader question about whether everyday changes in the body, such as prolonged fatigue, bloating, brain fog or unexplained discomfort, were sometimes overlooked. Such symptoms, however, could have many causes and did not by themselves indicate cancer.
These claims were detailed in a Substack post by IBetterWithin, which discussed six lifestyle changes it said could help support the body’s natural repair and defence mechanisms. The post also made several specific claims about cancer prevention that were not established medical guidance, according to the IBetterWithin Substack post.
Sleep, Diet And Exercise
One of the recommendations was to maintain a regular sleep routine, with particular emphasis on sleeping before 11 pm. The post claimed that the body carried out critical DNA repair between 11 pm and 3 am.
While adequate sleep was important for overall health and could influence immune, metabolic and hormonal functions, there was no established medical rule that people had to sleep before 11 pm to prevent cancer.
The post also recommended reducing sugary, highly processed and unhealthy foods. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and limiting certain dietary risk factors were recognised components of cancer-risk reduction.
Regular physical activity was another recommendation. The post promoted gentle daily movement and suggested avoiding intense exercise. Established health guidance, however, supported regular physical activity and did not generally advise people to avoid vigorous exercise as a cancer-prevention measure.
What About Warm Foot Soaks?
The post recommended soaking the feet in warm water for around 15 to 20 minutes before bedtime, claiming that this could improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
There was no established evidence that warm foot baths could prevent cancer or directly strengthen the immune system against cancer.
Gut Health And Immunity
The post also stressed the importance of gut health and recommended maintaining regular eating habits and choosing foods that were easier to digest.
The digestive system was closely connected to immune function, but the frequently repeated claim that 70% of the body’s immune cells were located in the gut was an oversimplification.
Don’t Ignore Persistent Symptoms
The broader message was that people should pay attention to persistent changes in their health instead of automatically attributing them to stress, work or ageing.
However, symptoms such as fatigue, bloating and brain fog were non-specific and could result from numerous conditions. Persistent or unusual symptoms should have been discussed with a healthcare professional rather than used to self-diagnose cancer.
Overall, established cancer-prevention guidance focused on measures such as avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol and following recommended screening programmes. These measures could reduce the risk of some cancers but could not guarantee that cancer would be prevented.
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Ask News18An online Substack post outlined six lifestyle habits aimed at supporting the body’s natural repair mechanisms, which included maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating a balanced diet, engaging in physical activity, using warm foot soaks, and prioritizing gut health.
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Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can …Read More
September 20, 2026, 17:51 IST
