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.
Cancer Prevention
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Baptist Health South Florida answeredGreen 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.
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See All 4 AnswersThere is no specific food that can fully prevent cancer, but there is enough evidence to support the notion that some foods have cancer-fighting properties and may help in the prevention and treatment of about a third of the most common cancers. These foods include:
- Antioxidants and phytochemicals: A body of research suggests that antioxidants and phytochemicals found in plant foods help prevent cell damage caused by oxidation and may reduce the risk of cancer. At this time, researchers are unsure of the specific compounds that might account for the reduced risk and therefore suggest a diet rich in a variety of plant foods. Antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene found in many fruits and vegetables, including berries, tomatoes and carrots. Phytochemicals are compounds made by some plants, including onions, leeks, garlic, tomatoes, whole grains, beans, herbs and tea.
- Fiber and flaxseed: Although there is little research on how dietary fiber affects cancer, diets rich in soluble fiber are recommended because they contain other nutrients that may help reduce the risk. Foods high in fiber include plant carbohydrates like oatmeal, oat bran, barley, lentils, beans and nuts. Flaxseed is the grain that tops all grains when it comes to health benefits. It provides the greatest level (26 percent) of high quality dietary-fiber of any food. Two small studies performed on people with prostate and breast cancer revealed a correlation between flaxseed-rich diets and lower rates of cancer cell growth. In lab tests, compounds from flaxseed showed slowed cancer cell growth and helped improve certain cancer treatments.
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Piedmont Heart Institute answeredSee All 2 AnswersAnimal 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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Dr. Eric M. Genden, MD , Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology), answered on behalf of The Mount Sinai Health SystemResearchers 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.
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Kalli Castille, MS, RD, CSO, LD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA)See All 5 AnswersDiet 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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Kalli Castille, MS, RD, CSO, LD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA)See All 2 AnswersOne third of all cancers can be prevented with diet and lifestyle according to the American Institute of Cancer Research. Choosing a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes is recommended for disease prevention. Getting two-thirds of your diet from plant-based protein sources and one-third from animal protein is optimal. Plant-based protein sources include nuts, seeds, legumes, and soy foods. Whole grains such as quinoa, spelt, and barley are also plant-based sources of protein.
A healthy diet can:
Protect against cancer and disease
Stimulate and boost the immune system to prepare for cancer treatment
Reduce common side effects caused by traditional treatment (radiation, chemotherapy, surgery) -
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Kalli Castille, MS, RD, CSO, LD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA)See All 5 AnswersThere are many foods to help boost your immune system. Here are two tips to get started. A variety of fruits and vegetables are key. Look for the deep, bold colors such as choosing spinach instead of iceberg lettuce. Protein is the source of fuel for the immune system. Choosing two thirds of your diet from vegetarian protein sources is ideal. Sources include: legumes, nuts, seeds, natural soy, low fat dairy, or quinoa.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 AnswersMost people don’t think cancer prevention can come in a bottle, but supplements are actually the “big guns” of aggressive preventive care. They give your body the building blocks it needs to prevent cancer and, in some cases, may even help heal precancerous cells. But remember that supplements alone won’t do it—you must abide by a healthy lifestyle, including eating wholesome foods and getting regular exercise.- IP-6. In animal studies, IP6 (Inositol hexaphosphate) has been shown to help prevent colon, liver, lung and soft tissue cancers. Researchers believe it works by preventing abnormal cell growth. In lab studies, this naturally occurring carbohydrate found in high-fiber foods like grains, beans and seeds even turned cancerous cells back into normal cells. Take 500 milligrams at breakfast and dinnertime. Available for about $15 at vitamin stores.
- Selenium. This essential mineral is a potent antioxidant and works by boosting our body’s natural defenses and helping to clear out dangerous free radicals. A recent study showed that it might help reduce the risk of colorectal, lung and even prostate cancers by almost 40%. While selenium is found in multivitamins, these usually only contain about 50 to 70 mcg, which is enough for a healthy diet but not enough for cancer prevention, which studies indicate may be necessary. Take 200 mcg a day. Available at drug stores for about $6.
- Black raspberry. Black raspberries have different micronutrients than red raspberries, which dictate their color and may help prevent esophageal and cervical cancer. These micronutrients are called anthocyanins. Look for all-natural, freeze-dried varieties. Freeze-drying helps preserve the anthocyanins so they don’t degrade as much before you eat them. Each 300 mg capsule is the micronutrient equivalent of eating four cups of fresh berries daily. Take 300 mg per day. Available for about $10 at vitamin stores or online.
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a cancer prevention must-have, since low vitamin D intake is associated with higher risks of cervical, breast and colorectal cancers. Vitamin D is a cancer triple threat that researchers believe may interrupt the growth of abnormal cells, kill off cancer cells and help cut off blood supply to tumors. Take 1,000 IUs daily. If you forget your supplement one morning, spend about 15 minutes in the sun. Available at drugstores for about $5.
This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com