Why Can Diet Help Prevent Cancer?
Cancer incidence has been steadily increasing worldwide. Epidemiological data shows an association between cancer incidence and a person's diet, lifestyle, and nutrition. The increasing trends of eating fast foods, processed foods and meats, high sugar, and high fat diets have also had a major toll in causing Obesity, Diabetes, Chronic illness, and high inflammation states. In this section we will review the risk factors in certain forms of cancer and the science behind how diet and nutrition can positively affect a person's health.
Esophageal cancer:
This form of cancer, which includes squamous and adenocarcinoma, occurs throughout the world.
Alcohol intake, Smoking, and Obesity are well known factors that can increase the risk for these cancers.
A decreased intake of fruits and vegetables has been associated with this cancer.
Consumption of teas and drinks that are very hot, and scalding is also an important risk factor for these forms of cancers. Consumption of drinks that are are very hot and scalding is considered a cancer-causing agent for esophageal cancer.
Stomach Cancer:
This cancer has the highest rates in Eastern Asia, though it is present worldwide. This shows some association to the dietary patterns adopted in certain countries.
Consumption of large amounts of salted, preserved fish is an important risk factor. This may be postulated to be secondary to the nitrites in the product as well as the salt content.
This may also increase the risk of Helicobacter infection that predisposes the person to ulcers which may also increase the inflammation in the mucosal lining of the stomach and hence increase the cancer risk.
Consumption of large amounts of pickled vegetables that contain N-nitroso compounds created by mold and fungi may also contribute to increasing the cancer risk.
Stomach cancer risk can also be decreased by eating diets rich in fruits, vegetables, vitamin C, beta carotene, and other minerals and essential nutrients.
Green tea secondary to polyphenols may also have protective effects.
Colorectal cancer:
This is the third most common cancer worldwide and is associated with Overweight and Obese states, as well as smoking and alcohol use.
There are very clear correlations between the intake of processed meats and red meats with this form of cancer. The chemicals used in processed meats like nitrates and nitrites may play a role in causing the increased risk.
Consumption of milk, Vitamin D, and calcium rich foods are associated with protective effects against this form of cancer.
Adequate dietary fiber from whole grains and cereals and higher dietary folate intake may also play a role in protecting against colon cancer.
Liver cancer:
Alcohol, overweight, and obese states play an important role in increasing the risk of this form of cancer.
Aspergillus is a fungus that grows on dried fruits, grains, and nuts when stored in moisture prone situations—this creates an Aflatoxin, which is carcinogenic when consumed.
Chronic infection with Hepatitis C and B also increases the risk of Liver cancer.
Consumption of coffee may have a protective effect against liver cancer.
Breast cancer:
This is the second most common cancer worldwide.
Obesity can increase the risk of Breast cancer along with various hormonal factors.
Alcohol intake increases the risk of cancer.
High fat diets and diets poor in fruits and vegetables may also have a negative effect on health.
However, there seems to be a protective effect noted with the consumption of Isoflavones from Soy foods.
In these above sections we have summarized the risk factors in relation to diet and lifestyle that can increase and decrease the risk of cancer. Diet, Nutrition, and Lifestyle are key in ensuring our overall health, and having said that, I want to encourage you to keep your health in center focus, watch what you eat and live long and strong!
