The main goal of oncology is to cure cancer, if we can. If we cannot cure the cancer, the goal of oncology is to have the patient live the best life he or she can, for as long as possible, with the treatments that we have available—and there are lots of treatments available.
Cancer Prevention
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Penn Medicine answeredSee All 2 AnswersWhile there are many factors that can put someone at risk for cancer, research has shown that certain foods can help prevent cancer. The American Institute of Cancer Research found compelling evidence that a diet high in fruit can lower lung cancer risk as much as 36 percent for nonsmokers. There is also some evidence that foods high in carotenoids such as sweet potatoes, spinach, kale and oranges may protect against cervical cancer. For ovarian cancer, evidence suggests consuming non-starchy vegetables such as asparagus, carrots and tomatoes may decrease risk. Finally, studies have shown that food containing phytochemicals have the potential to stimulate the immune system, slow the growth of cancer cells and reduce the kind of inflammation that can cause cancer. Foods that contain phytochemicals include beans, berries, dark, leafy vegetables, grapes, flaxseed, garlic, soy, green tea, tomatoes, whole grains and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower.
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Dr. William W. Li, MD , Internal Medicine, answered
The types of cancer that are influenced by diet in terms of lowering risk include colon; breast; lung; prostate; cervical and ovarian cancers. Watch disease prevention specialist William Li, MD, explain how diet may lower the risk of some cancers. -
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Dr. Peter Bongiorno, ND , Naturopathic Medicine, answeredSee All 3 Answers
The fact is soy
contains ‘phytoestrogens’. The term phytoestrogen refers to the idea that plant chemicals can act in similar ways as an estrogen molecule. Interestingly, the fellow who coined this phrase is Dr. Herman Aldercreutz of the University of Helsinki. Dr. Aldercreutz himself admits that coining the term phytoestrogen was one of his greatest regrets over his career, for this term has lead the medical community to ascribe estrogenic activity to soy that it really does not possess.It is true that soy isoflavones can act like weak estrogens. Interestingly, this is how tamoxifen, a breast cancer drug that serves to protect estrogen sensitive cells, works as well by decreasing the effect of aggressive estrogens made in the body. The weak ‘estrogens’ in soy actually block the more aggressive, cancer-causing estrogens – as such, they lower the effect of cancer-causing estrogens. Additionally, soy isoflavones also help shut off genes that can cause cancer by acting as methylators. Methylators are molecules which can lock up cancer genes so they are not expressed.
One case-controlled study from 2008 Journal of Clinical Oncology looked at over 24,000 Japanese women and found that those with the highest soy isoflavone level had the lowest cancer rates. Breast cancer in Western countries is much higher than Asia – where isoflavone levels are about 0.5% of that in the Asian countries.
When consumed in excessively large amounts, soy may inhibit thyroid function, lower mineral absorption, or even create allergic response in an individual. Eaten in reasonable amounts, this is not typical.
In our clinic, we highly recommend natural and fermented forms of soy, such as edamame, natto, miso, and tempeh. While some soy milk and tofu may not be harmful, these sources of soy are more processed forms that may increase sensitivity in some individuals. Persons who are blood type A seem to do fairly well with soy in the diet, while blood type O individuals seem to be more reactive.
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 4 AnswersThe immune system protects the body from outside invasion by locating and destroying potentially harmful bacteria and viruses. It does so through the workings of certain cells and signaling processes in the immune system that identify and destroy potentially hazardous toxins and invading organisms.
Some of these cells are called "proofreader genes," and they exist in every cell except red blood cells. Proofreader genes protect the body against insurrection from within by rooting out cells that have become abnormal or malignant. They do this by scanning the rest of your genes and destroying cells that contain an error or a change in your deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). In this way, the immune system helps keep bad collections of cells (an initial "tumor") from growing into a clinical cancer. (A clinical cancer is one that has become apparent in some way -- for example, by causing symptoms or as the result of physical examination or laboratory test.) -
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 3 AnswersCruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower have a chemical in them that prevents cancer. It's unclear whether they decrease cancer rates by turning on your immune system, having a cancer-fighting agent, or just attacking the cancer or the need for cancer cells to have specialized nutrients. But it might be linked to two compounds found in these vegetables (for you pre-meds or ER junkies, they're indole-3 carbinol and sulforaphane).
Whatever the mechanism, studies of patients with bladder cancer and gut cancers make it likely that those eating seven or more non-fried servings (fistfuls) of cruciferous vegetables a week can prevent the growth of cancer by 50 percent. -
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 3 AnswersProofreader genes protect the body by rooting out cells that have become abnormal or malignant. Vitamin D appears to work to decrease cancer risk by strengthening the functioning of your proofreader gene. Whether or not this works the ways the theories propose, the ability of vitamin D to decrease the risk of cancer is consistent in both epidemiologic and test-tube studies. The first theory is that the D3 form of the vitamin -- the active form the body can use -- kills cell mutations. Somehow, vitamin D is directly toxic to possibly cancerous cells. The second theory, supported by more data, is that adequate levels of vitamin D are necessary for proofreader genes to spot cancerous cells and cause them to die.
The proofreader gene recognizes mutated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and cells. Vitamin D3 is an essential component used in this attempt by the body to rid itself of the cells. Vitamin D3 helps make protein for the functioning of the P53 gene, which is one of the body's main proofreader genes and cancer watchdogs. This gene helps prevent cancer by regulating protein production of specific oncogenes -- genes that, when mutated, can cause cancers. Indeed, vitamin D not only helps in the proper functioning of the gene, but also appears to actually help safeguard the P53 gene itself from genetic damage. -
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 AnswersHere is a list of how frequently you should be screened for certain cancers:- Breast cancer: breast self-exams monthly and by a doctor once or twice a year—once by general doc and once by your gynecologist. You should get a baseline mammogram between ages 35 and 40 and then yearly ones starting at age 40 (higher-risk women use MRI screening). I do not recommend cutting back to every other year in older women. If you have dense breasts, your gynecologist may recommend a sonogram as well as a mammogram, alternating every six months.
- Prostate cancer: yearly digital rectal exam starting at age 40 (yes, really). Talk with your doctor about whether you should also get a yearly PSA to measure change (the change in PSA over time is a better predictor than the absolute number).
- Colon cancer: colonoscopy starting at age 50, then every 10 years, with additional screening (such as a hemoccult test, which measures blood in the stool) every five years.
- Cervical cancer: Pap tests every three years starting at age 21, then every five years after age 30 if you also get screened for the HPV virus. Women without uteruses should still have pelvic exams because of vaginal cancers and ovarian issues.
- Skin cancer: yearly check at every age by someone who is comfortable examining your whole body. For efficiency, tie exam into other activity. Any new or changing moles should be seen by a dermatologist.
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredAcrylamide levels in food vary widely depending on the manufacturer, the cooking time, and the method and temperature of the cooking process. The best advice at this time is to follow established dietary guidelines and eat a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat and rich in high-fiber grains, fruits, and vegetables.
This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 Answers
You can reduce your risk of exposure to radiation from your cell phone by following these steps:
1. Put it on speaker. Because your exposure drops exponentially as you move the phone away from your head, you don't have to keep the phone very far away to reduce your exposure by 1,000 to 10,000 times.
2. Go wired. In crowded, noisy areas, use a wired headset instead. If you must use a wireless headset, turn it off when you're not using it.
3. Store it. Unless you're on it, stow the phone in your purse or bag. If you keep it on your waist, keep it turned off. Studies have shown that keeping a cell phone in your pocket can decrease sperm count.
4. Save it for a strong signal. When reception is bad (such as in a rural areas or when you're driving), use your phone for emergencies only. The weaker the signal, the more the radio frequency has to boost itself to get connected, increasing your exposure.
5. Protect the kids. Do not let children use cell phones next to their heads. For older kids, it shouldn't take much encouragement to get them to text more than they chat.
This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com