Cancer Prevention

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• QHow can I prevent cancer?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  Some studies suggest that nearly two out of three people could avoid cancer by not smoking and eating a healthy diet that includes generous servings of fruits and vegetables and limits high fat foods.

  Other suggestions to discourage cancer include:

  • Include physical activity in your daily routine
  • Limiting your use of alcohol
  • Maintain a healthy body weight
  • Reduce environmental exposure to carcinogens
  • Use sunscreen when outside

  Regular physical exams by your doctor and self-examination are critical to detecting cancer early. That is critically important. The sooner cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances for a cure. If your family has a history of cancer, discuss this with your doctor. Following this advice and see your doctor often. You will be well on your way to a healthy, cancer-free life.

• QWhat are the goals of oncology?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Oncology generally has three goals. The first goal of oncology is to eliminate your cancer, either by killing or removing the cancerous cells. The second goal of oncology is to keep the cancer from returning, or at least to delay its return. The third goal of oncology is to help you manage your cancer symptoms, even if the cancer cannot be killed or removed.

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• QWhat supplements can help prevent cancer?

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  A Dr. Mark A. O'Rourke, MD , Hematology & Oncology, answered on behalf of Greenville Health System

  The best, proven food strategy to prevent cancer is five servings of colored fruits and vegetables per day. Different colored fruits and vegetables contain different important cancer-fighting substances called phytochemicals. The reds contain lycopene, the red/purples contain anthrocyanins, the oranges contain carotenoids, the orange/yellows contain beta cryptothanxin, the yellow/greens contain lutein and zeaxanthin, the greens contain indoles and sulforaphanes, and the white/greens contain allicin, quercitin and flavonoids. Studies of this strategy have shown a reduction in cancer risk.

  It is very interesting that studies of individual phytochemicals taken as supplements have been disappointing. Indeed, studies of supplements such as beta-carotene, vitamin E and higher doses of vitamin A have shown that the people who took the supplements had a higher risk of cancer and death than those who took placebo.

  It is not obvious why these phytochemicals in the diet are so beneficial, while concentrated supplements containing individual antioxidants are not beneficial at all. The data, however, are clear and definite. We should get our antioxidants in our diet rather than in concentrated supplements. It is apparently more “natural” and more effective. Let your medicine cabinet be your kitchen!

  The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nor does the contents of this website constitute the establishment of a physician patient or therapeutic relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

• QCan cancer be prevented?

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  A Penn Medicine answered

  Cancer prevention can be complex, and depends how you are affected by risk factors. Cancer risk in a nutshell is the likelihood that you will develop a cancer. Many factors play into your personal risk; do you smoke? Do you use a tanning booth? Did your mother have cancer? You can see that some factors are things you can change such as smoking, which we call modifiable risk factors. Some factors you cannot change, such as your family history; these are called unmodifiable risk factors. Some risk factors increase the likelihood of one type of cancer, while others can increase the risk of several types.

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• QCan green tea help prevent cancer?

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  A Baptist Health South Florida answered

  Green tea is recommended as a preventive measure against cancer for healthy people as part of an overall diet that should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and limited-to-no processed meats or sugary drinks. Dietary recommendations include natural antioxidants and other chemicals that have been found to help fight cancer and other chronic diseases through numerous studies and clinical trials.

  However, taking supplements, which can have adverse side effects, is not recommended, especially if you have cancer and are undergoing active treatment. Most vitamins and other supplements—some derived from natural chemicals found in plants—that are heavily marketed in the United States are not regulated by the government. Moreover, these supplements have to be detoxified by the liver, which can put people with cancer at risk because they are already “overloading” their liver through chemotherapies and other treatments.

• QWhat foods can help prevent cancer?

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  A Penn Medicine answered

  While 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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• QCan statins prevent cancer?

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  A Piedmont Heart Institute answered

  Animal research and ongoing observation of people who take statins suggest that these drugs may lower the risk of certain cancers, including colorectal and skin cancers. Statins' known benefits in preventing cardiovascular disease, along with years of strong evidence that these agents are relatively safe, have led researchers to explore whether statins have the potential to prevent cancer. People should not take statins for cancer prevention outside of a clinical trial.
  This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.

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• QHow is holistic treatment used to prevent cancer?

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  A Dr. Eric M. Genden, MD , Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology), answered on behalf of The Mount Sinai Health System

  

  Researchers are looking at keeping tumors dormant. In this video, Eric Genden, MD, an otolaryngologist at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, explains why doctors and cancer researchers are looking at the immune system in cancer prevention.

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  How Is Holistic Treatment Used to Prevent Cancer?
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• QAre there ways to prevent cancer with diet?

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  A Kalli Castille, MS, RD, CSO, LD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA)

  Diet and lifestyle factors are proven to decrease risk of certain types of cancer. Three tips include: being as lean as possible without being underweight; using more fresh foods in your diet from fresh lean protein sources such as a variety of fish or legumes; and decreasing or limiting all processed food items such as those items in the center isles of the grocery store high in sugar, sodium, or fat. 

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