Cancer Prevention

Almost half of us today will develop cancer. It's the number one cause of death in the U.S. It seems somewhat overwhelming to tackle a subject like cancer in such a short space. But the fundamentals are not as complicated as you may think and, in fact, when you boil it down, cancer prevention is consistent with all the other guidelines for a healthy lifestyle.

Cancer is a cell that's gone nuts. Environment and lifestyle as well as genetics play a part in causing normal cells to become abnormal cells or "oncogenes." Sometimes it takes a cancer 25 years to develop. Lifestyle and environmental factors, if not healthy, will set off a domino effect that will ultimately lead to a diagnosis of cancer. But since lifestyle and environmental factors are primarily responsible for the development of cancer, there are many things that you can do to protect yourself from its onset. And there's no time like the present: research has actually shown that good nutritional and health habits - even in the early stages of cancer can help reverse a path of destruction.

The Best Cancer Prevention

The best thing you can do to protect yourself from developing precancerous cells is to reevaluate your lifestyle including eating habits, stress level and exercise. Believe it or not, each American is confronted with about 6 bouts of cancer in a lifetime, but only 42% will actually experience a diagnosis. The other 58% have very healthy immune systems. Every time your immune system is confronted with damaged cells or a potential mutation, it gets rid of it in a hurry. But if the damage is overwhelming, the immune system can't handle the load. So treating the underlying causes will support the immune system and also help stimulate the body's own healing powers. If you have cancer, you may still want to strengthen the immune system, as chemotherapy and radiation can get rid of many cancer cells, but not all of them. We have 60 trillion cells and the best medical treatments might kill cancer cells, but still leave behind over one billion cells, undetected. Patrick Quillin, author of Beating Cancer with Nutrition, explains it like this: "Imagine leaving behind only one billion dandelion seeds on your lawn after you thought you got them all."

Here are diet, environmental and lifestyle factors which, when followed, can help to reduce your odds of getting cancer:

Eliminate or Reduce:

Sugar
Cancer cells love sugar. So starve the cancer by eliminating its favorite fuel. That includes limiting even high glycemic index fruits, refined foods, breads, pastas, candy and sugary drinks.

Alcohol
Alcohol depletes glutathione-a major antioxidant for the liver. And if the liver isn't functioning optimally it will not be able to metabolize and clear harmful toxins in the body, causing a buildup of free radical or oxidative damage. Alcohol is known to instigate cancers of the mouth, larynx, throat, liver, breast and esophagus.

Harmful Cooking Methods
This includes frying, barbecuing with charcoal, and broiling with certain fats and oils like safflower or corn oil. This method can produce carcinogens called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) which have been linked with many forms of cancer. If you do occasionally fry food, use sesame seed oil, olive oil or butter and avoid cooking until the food is burnt. Microwaving food increases radiation output and may exacerbate tumor production if used in excess. Do not use plastic containers in the microwave or for any type of cooking. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastics emit carcinogens.

Chemical and Toxin Exposure
According to Quillin's book, we come into contact with 70,000 chemicals in our environment, 20,000 of which are cancer-causing. While there is nothing we can do to completely avoid our interaction with cancer-causing agents, we can change some habits to lessen our exposure. For instance, peanuts and corn contain aflatoxins, which have been linked to liver cancer. If you eat these, choose organic products. Reducing radiation, both natural and man made from the sun, will help protect against cancers like leukemia, lung, breast, skin and thyroid. And replace carpeting only when necessary: known carcinogens such as p-Dichlorobenzene are in new carpets, which can cause lymphoma and leukemia. Among other toxic chemicals are formaldehyde and toluene (found in nail polish) which have already made the EPA's list of Extremely Hazardous Substances.

Include or Increase:

Natural Foods
That means shopping the perimeter of the store and shopping more often for fresh foods. Anything in between is processed, plasticized, heated, potentially rancid, and old.

Organic Foods
Steering clear of pesticides will reduce carcinogens and toxic stress on the GI tract, liver, kidneys, nerves and reproductive system. Consumer Reports recommends that the following foods, should always be organic: Apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, spinach and strawberries.

Colorful Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in antioxidants and anti-cancer nutrients, and are rich in cleansing fiber. A large study in 1996 confirmed the effects of increasing vegetables, demonstrating protection against all cancer types, and especially a 30 - 50% protection against breast cancer. By adding a variety of colorful vegetables to your diet you receive the benefits of each vegetable family.

Healthy Fats
Healthy fats enable immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Find a reputable source of Omega -3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids and take them with your multivitamin every day. Cold water fish like salmon, haddock, halibut, bass, cod, mackerel, sardine and tuna are loaded with anti cancer fats which stimulate immune function and contain trace minerals from the sea that we do not get in our soil. Avoid tilefish, swordfish, king mackerel, red snapper and orange roughy due to high mercury content.

Green Tea
Green tea contains a myriad of cancer-fighting agents and is a potent antioxidant. Studies in Japan and China have identified mechanisms which explain why green tea can prevent and even reverse some forms of cancer.

Indian Food
The spices and seasonings that are native to India contain an assortment of cancer fighting factors. Turmeric - the key ingredient in curry, contains curcumin, which inhibits the generation of carcinogenic substances in the body. It also helps fortify another powerful antioxidant called glutathione which helps the liver detoxify. Turmeric also aid in inhibiting the creation of new blood vessels that support tumor growth, and has been shown to induce cancer cell death.

Yogurt and/or Probiotics
Yogurt is rich in beneficial bacteria like acidophilus and contains a variety of biproducts that nourish the gut and the immune system. Since 70% of the immune system lines the GI tract, yogurt can fortify the body's defenses against infection and cancer.

Exercise
You have a better chance of safeguarding yourself against cancer if you exercise. Of the 42% of people who develop cancer, over half of them are inactive. Cancer cells are anaerobic, meaning that they thrive without oxygen. Every time you exercise you are depriving a cancer cell of its basic needs. Exercise oxygenates tissues, reduce stress and stabilize blood sugar. It also strengthens the immune function and aids in detoxification. It even helps those patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.

There is so much more that I would like to say. In short, lead a clean, lifestyle and eat plenty of good healthy fruits and vegetables with high quality meats, and don't forget to exercise and sleep well. That's the message, and that has always been the message. We just need to start listening to it. Remember that you are what you eat, and that you do have power and control over whether or not you will develop cancer. Make some simple changes in your life now, for a healthy, long life later on.