http://www.care2.com/greenliving/what-if-120000-people-didnt-have-to-get-cancer-prevention-strategies-guaranteed-to-work.html
7 Ways to Slash Cancer Risk
by Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor
Would you change your lifestyle if you could slash your risk of getting cancer by a third or even half? That’s the challenge posed by a huge new report just released byThe American Institute for Cancer Research that pulls together and analyzes the most comprehensive data on cancer prevention yet.
Okay, I admit it, you’re not going to like some of this advice, and neither are your family members. I know I don’t. Give up salami, one of my favorite lunch options? Yikes. And alcohol? As native Californians who grew up going wine tasting in the Napa Valley whenever possible, my siblings would be really sad if family dinners were no longer accompanied by a bottle of good zinfandel or pinot. And what’s a burrito without a cold beer and lime to go with it?
But this evidence is so compelling that I think all of us in Cancer World are going to have to look twice at some of our lifestyle choices and may feel newly motivated to make changes, or nag at our loved ones to do so. Imagine, by following these guidelines, we could prevent:
- More than 45 percent of colon cancer cases
(Translation: 49,000 people would not get colon cancer) - 38 percent of breast cancer cases
(Translation: 70,000 people would not get breast cancer) - One third of all the most common cancers
This report is a big deal because the experts who compiled it looked at every major study and based their recommendations on hard evidence of what really works to reduce cancer risk. “This is the practical application of five years of work sorting through what the science really says,” said panel member Steve Zeisel, MD, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Next: 7 Ways to Slash Your Risk of Getting Cancer
- Be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day. As well as helping prevent weight gain, research shows that activity itself helps prevent cancer by keeping hormone levels healthy, which is important because having high levels of some hormones can increase cancer risk.
- Lower your weight to the lower end of the body-mass index for your height. Even more important, banish belly fat, which acts like a ‘hormone pump’ releasing estrogen into the bloodstream as well as raising levels of other hormones. This is strongly linked to colon cancer and probably to cancers of the pancreas and endometrium (lining of the uterus), as well as breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women.
- Avoid sugary drinks and high-calorie foods. Cutting out foods made from white flour and sugar, such as candy, pastries, and other baked goods that aren’t whole grain, is one of the fastest ways to lose weight, and is also healthier for blood sugar balance.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. This one’s been pretty thoroughly covered in a previous post on anti-cancer foods.
- Eat less red meat and little or no processed meat. Experts say there’s no longer any doubt that eating beef, pork, and other red meats raises the risk of colorectal cancer. Red meat contains heme iron and other substances that damage the colon lining, making way for tumor growth. Processed meat is even worse. When meat is preserved by smoking, curing or salting, or by the addition of preservatives, cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) are formed that damage cells in the body, leading to cancer. While studies show we can eat up to 18 ounces a week of red meat without raising cancer risk, research shows that cancer risk starts to increase with any portion of processed meat.
- Limit alcohol to two drinks a day for men, 1 for women — but none is best of all. Unfortunately for all those of us who like a drink now and then, there’s convincing evidence that alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and colon. This one got hit with a double-whammy of evidence this week; the National Cancer Institute alsoreported the results of a huge study detailing the risks of alcohol for women. Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, cancer blogger for the American Cancer Society, spelled it out inblack and white : “there is no level of alcohol consumption that could be called safe.” Scientists are still researching how alcohol causes cancer. One theory is that alcohol can directly damage DNA, increasing our risk of cancer. Research shows that alcohol is particularly harmful when combined with smoking.
- Limit salt intake. Salt and salt-preserved foods are linked to stomach and other digestive cancers; limit salt to 2400 milligrams to be safe.
One last thing; this report did not even address smoking, because experts consider that such a no-brainer at this point. Smokers increase their chances of getting almost all kinds of cancer every time they light up. So the only recommendation is, don’t.
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26 comments
add your comment »Shirley, I have not heard about blood groups relating to veganism, but I am going to look into that...very interesting!
I like that you mentioned the importance of avoiding putting chemicals into your body... that is so important to our health and the health of our children!
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this is wonder full
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Jeff J. wrote: You left out the #1 best cancer-aware behavior. GET SCREENING
Jeff, did you read the title? It's slashing cancer RISK!!! Risk! We are not talking about if there already IS cancer there, as you will find out in a screening. We want to prevent cancer. Once you find it out in a screening, it is already there and you may be done for already. Diane Kahl, I was the one who wrote at the beginning of this thread about the fungal cause of cancer. Alcohol is one of the strongest mycotoxins by fermentation that you can ingest. But if you insist on drinking and want to make it a woman's rights issue, that is your choice. I don't like to see the women or men in my life drink. I want them healthy and alive. Diane, does that make me a male chauvenist?
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You left out the #1 best cancer-aware behavior. GET SCREENING. Most cancers that kill are the under-detected ones.
Stay safe and do obvious things but yearly checks are mission critical to a longer life. Stay safe with love from CTNGREEN
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I disagree with the alcohol factor in cancers, believe it is more fear-based bullshit to keep women in their place. I am a runner of 45 years, a vegetarian of 20 years, and I drink 2 -- yes -- 2 glasses of wine a night and will continue to do so until the grave.
And you know what? I bet it's not cancer I will die of either!!!!!
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Can I just ask...I have read a book about blood groups & studies carried out by a naturopath suggests that not everyone benefits from being vegetarian. Blood group O's infact become very sick if eating a grain, bean diet & have to avoid grains except for gluten free & should eat more of lean red meats, fish, organic chicken etc for a higher protein diet.
I was a vegan for many years & my grandmothers sister has written books in Sweden on it, but I was sick on it. I tried the blood group diet as well as food combining & cutting out cheese, dairy, sugar, white products & focussed on soaked nuts, seeds, lean meats (organic in all), and RAW FOODS, SMOOTHIES & SOME ORGANIC VEGETABLE JUICES as well as gluten free grains & brown rice.
I don't think being a vegan is suitable for everyone although it is more humane to be vegan. I eat meat but love animals so if I was in the wild I wouldn't be able to kill an animal but in society I do eat organic meats, chickens that are free range etc.
I think the most important thing is don't put chemicals into the body, avoid processed foods, eat natural foods & fermented products to increase good bacteria in the gut, & to incorporate good living / lifestyle practises & spend time in the sunshine (not too much) & in nature as well as having good relationships with others & with whatever you call god / the universe etc. Practise compassion to all living things & loving yourself too.
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I agree, Jera! Being vegan really does reduce your risk for cancer, not to mention many other diseases. I've greatly enjoyed being a vegan for the past 18 years--I wouldn't trade the delicious food for anything, either!
For anyone wanting a few good vegan recipes, check out my blog (www.rhiw.blogspot.com) or website (www.radianthealth-innerwealth.com)--they both have several recipes from my 2nd edition of "Radiant Health, Inner Wealth." (a comprehensive guide for inner and outer wellness, with almost 250 recipes)
I really love this site--keep up the great articles like this one! And try some new vegan recipes if you're so inclined--you might be surprised at how delicious healthy food can be!
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cigarettes?
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I just discovered a great new cancer book. www.reversingcancer.com
Even if you don't buy it just watch the short video from the doc who wrote it.
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This is cool, good article. I'd just like to add to the 'eat less or no red meat' tip, that not eating chickens, rabbits (any kind of meat), chickens eggs, and animal's milk will lessen your risk of ANY type of kind of cancer, your overall health, benefit the environment immensely, AND the well being and welfare of animals. So what are waiting for? Consider being a vegan!
Check out:
CompassionateCooks.com
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