How to Prevent Hodgkin's Disease

Hodgkin's disease refers to a number of different forms of cancer, all of which affect the lymphatic system. Four named categories and one unnamed category of Hodgkin's disease exist, and each affects the lymphatic system in a different way. When caught early, Hodgkin's disease has a very high survival rate (about 95 percent according to the American Cancer Society), but it is a difficult disease to prevent.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. There are no clear-cut steps established by the medical community that prevent Hodgkin's disease. A healthy lifestyle containing a balanced diet and plenty of exercise is certainly recommended for keeping your immune system strong, but this does not guarantee prevention.
2. Avoid becoming infected with infectious mononucleosis. According to the American Cancer Society, there is a slight increase in the chances of developing Hodgkin's disease in those who have first contracted infectious mononucleosis.
3. Take extra care of yourself when you are dealing with a diminished immune system. Those with AIDS or with congenital immunodeficiencies appear more likely to develop Hodgkin's disease.
4. Schedule regular visits with your doctor at the completion of an organ transplant. Those who have received organ transplants are commonly placed on medications that reduce the immune system's rejection of transplanted organs. This makes the body susceptible to the development of Hodgkin's disease.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your doctor when your lymph nodes are swollen. Swollen lymph nodes are more commonly associated with other illnesses like influenza or an infection, but verify with your doctor that the swollen nodes aren't a symptom of something more serious.
• Always keep in mind you have the power to accept or refuse any treatment. In addition, you can request information about available clinical trials in the event that you develop Hodgkin's disease.
• Quit smoking as a precaution to help prevent the development of many other forms of cancer. While not directly related to the development of Hodgkin's disease, smoking is known to cause numerous complications for sufferers of this disease.