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Diet and cancer

Fiber and cancer; Cancer and fiber; Nitrates and cancer; Cancer and nitrates

 

Information

DIET AND BREAST CANCER

The link between nutrition and breast cancer has been well studied. To reduce risk of breast cancer the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends:

  • Get regular physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day 5 times a week
  • Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
  • Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Consume at least 2 ½ cups (300 grams) of fruits and vegetables daily.
  • Limit alcoholic beverages to no more than 2 drinks for men; 1 drink for women. One drink is the equivalent of 12 ounces (360 milliliters) beer, 1 ounce (30 milliliters) spirits, or 4 ounces (120 milliliters) wine.

Other things to consider:

  • High soy intake (in the form of supplements) is controversial in women diagnosed with hormone-sensitive cancers. Consuming a diet that contains moderate amounts of soy foods before adulthood may be beneficial.
  • Breastfeeding may reduce a mother's risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.

DIET AND PROSTATE CANCER

The ACS recommends the following lifestyle choices to reduce prostate cancer risk:

  • Get regular physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day five times a week.
  • Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
  • Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Consume at least 2 ½ cups (300 grams) of fruits and vegetables daily
  • Limit alcoholic beverages to no more than 2 drinks for men; 1 drink for women. One drink is the equivalent of 12 ounces (360 milliliters) beer, 1 ounce (30 milliliters) spirits, or 4 ounces (120 milliliters) wine.

Other things to consider:

  • Your health care provider may suggest that men limit their use of calcium supplements and not exceed the recommended amount of calcium from foods and beverages.

DIET AND COLON OR RECTAL CANCER

The ACS recommends the following to reduce colorectal cancer risk:

  • Limit intake of red and processed meat. Avoid charbroiling meat.
  • Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Consume at least 2 ½ cups (300 grams) of fruits and vegetables daily. Broccoli may be particularly beneficial.
  • Avoid excess alcohol consumption.
  • Eat recommended amounts of calcium and get enough Vitamin D
  • Eat more omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts) than omega-6 fatty acids (corn oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil)
  • Maintain a healthy weight throughout life. Avoid obesity and buildup of belly fat.
  • Engage in higher intensity physical activity for longer periods.
  • Get regular colorectal screenings based on your age and health history.

DIET AND STOMACH OR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

The ACS recommends the following lifestyle choices to reduce stomach and esophageal cancer risk:

  • Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Consume at least 2 ½ cups (300 grams) of fruits and vegetables daily.
  • Lower your intake of processed meats, smoked, nitrite-cured, and salt-preserved foods; emphasize plant-based proteins.
  • Get regular physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day 5 times a week
  • Maintain a healthy body weight throughout life.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CANCER PREVENTION

The American Institute for Cancer Research's 10 recommendations for cancer prevention include:

  1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
  2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day.
  3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods. (Artificial sweeteners in moderate amounts have not been shown to cause cancer.)
  4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes such as beans.
  5. Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats.
  6. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day.
  7. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).
  8. DO NOT use supplements to protect against cancer.
  9. It is best for mothers to breastfeed exclusively for up to 6 months and then add other liquids and foods.
  10. After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the recommendations for cancer prevention.

RESOURCES

Dietary Guidelines for Americans -- www.choosemyplate.gov

The American Cancer Society is an excellent source of information on cancer prevention -- www.cancer.org

The American Institute for Cancer Research -- www.aicr.org/new-american-plate

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides sound dietary advice on a wide range of topics -- www.eatright.org

The National Cancer Institute's CancerNet is a government gateway to the accurate information on cancer prevention -- www.cancer.gov

 

References

Bevers TB, Brown PH, Maresso KC, Hawk ET. Cancer prevention, screening, and early detection. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2014:chap 23.

Dahm CC, Keogh RH, Spencer EA, Greenwood DC, Key TJ, Fentiman IS, et al. Dietary fiber and colorectal cancer risk: a nested case-control study using food diaries. J Natl Cancer Inst . 2010;102:614-26. PMID: 20407088 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20407088 .

Gaziano JM, Glynn RJ, Christen WG, Kurth T, Belanger C, MacFadyen J, et al. Vitamins E and C in the prevention of prostate and total cancer in men: the Physicians' Health Study II randomized controlled trial. JAMA . 2009;301:52-62. PMID: 19066368 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19066368 .

Kushi LH, et al. American Cancer Society guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention: reducing the risk of cancer with healthy food choices and physical activity. CA Cancer J Clin . 2012;62:30-67. PMID: 22237782 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22237782 .

Larsson SC, Orsini N, Wolk A. Vitamin B6 and risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. JAMA . 2010;303:1077-83. PMID: 20233826 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20233826 .

Pierce JP, Natarajan L, Caan BJ, Parker BA, Greenberg, Flatt SW, et al. Influence of a diet very high in vegetables, fruit, and fiber and low in fat on prognosis following treatment for breast cancer: the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) randomized trial. JAMA . 2007;293;289-98. PMID: 17635889 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17635889 .

Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. USDA. February 2015. www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015-scientific-report/pdfs/scientific-report-of-the-2015-dietary-guidelines-advisory-committee.pdf . Accessed July 20, 2015.

SEER Training Modules, Cancer Risk Factors. US National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. training.seer.cancer.gov/disease/cancer/risk.html . Accessed July 21, 2015.

US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture. 2015 - 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015. health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines . Accessed January 15, 2016.

 
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    Osteoporosis

    illustration

  • Cholesterol producers - illustration

    Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material that is found in all parts of the body. It comes from two sources: our liver produces it, and we consume it in meat and dairy products.

    Cholesterol producers

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  • Phytochemicals - illustration

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    Phytochemicals

    illustration

  • Selenium - antioxidant - illustration

    Selenium is an antioxidant which seems to inhibit cell proliferation. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of selenium is 70 ug (micrograms) for men, 55 ug for women.

    Selenium - antioxidant

    illustration

  • Diet and disease prevention - illustration

    There have been recent dietary recommendations that have a proven relationship to a disease or health-related condition. For instance, adequate amounts of calcium in the diet are needed for strong teeth and bones and to prevent osteoporosis.

    Diet and disease prevention

    illustration

    • Osteoporosis - illustration

      The bone disease osteoporosis is caused by more bone cells being resorbed than being deposited. This imbalance results in a progressive loss of bone density and a thinning of bone tissue. Osteoporotic bones are more porous and therefore more vulnerable to fracture.

      Osteoporosis

      illustration

    • Cholesterol producers - illustration

      Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material that is found in all parts of the body. It comes from two sources: our liver produces it, and we consume it in meat and dairy products.

      Cholesterol producers

      illustration

    • Phytochemicals - illustration

      Plants provide many beneficial nutrients (phytochemicals) which may protect against cancer. Isothiocyanates (found in broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts) may suppress tumor growth and hormone production. Flavonoids (apples, grapefruit, red wine, etc.), soy and lycopene (found in tomatoes) also demonstrate protection against cancer.

      Phytochemicals

      illustration

    • Selenium - antioxidant - illustration

      Selenium is an antioxidant which seems to inhibit cell proliferation. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of selenium is 70 ug (micrograms) for men, 55 ug for women.

      Selenium - antioxidant

      illustration

    • Diet and disease prevention - illustration

      There have been recent dietary recommendations that have a proven relationship to a disease or health-related condition. For instance, adequate amounts of calcium in the diet are needed for strong teeth and bones and to prevent osteoporosis.

      Diet and disease prevention

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Diet and cancer

           

           

          Review Date: 4/25/2015

          Reviewed By: Emily Wax, RD, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 01/15/2016.

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