Cancer and the role of lifestyle in its prevention

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Dr Shirely Leivon


Junior Consultant, MD (Radiotherapy), Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology Services, CIHSR


Most causes of cancer are preventable. According to evidence, almost 50% of all cancers can be prevented based on what we know today. While some malignancies are caused by factors beyond our control in cases like breast and ovarian cancers due to genetic predisposition, the most prevalent cancers in our country, and even in our state, are still preventable. It is also true that the causes for cancer may be multifactorial and in some cases, the cause may remain unknown. 

 


So while we cannot do much to prevent some cancers, we can still take action to avert those that can be prevented.
Lifestyle modification and chemoprevention are practicable ways in which one can do this. Apart from avoiding some of the obvious causes like tobacco, alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity, pollution, infection and stress, it is worthwhile to note that certain behavior and lifestyle changes can decrease our chances of ever being affected by certain cancers.

 


There are a few very specific cancers that are prevalent in our state and region.  For the state of Nagaland, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research, the cancer incidence of nasopharynx, stomach and esophagus are highest in males, while the most common cancer in females affect the cervix, breast and stomach.

 


Some well-documented causes of some common cancers include consumption of smoked meat, salted fish and pickled food. According to multiple studies, the high consumption of salted fish in Southern China has been implicated as an environmental factor. Dimethynitrosamine, a carcinogen found in salted fish has been shown to induce carcinoma in experimental studies. Other well documented causes are genetic factors that include people of Southern China and populations of Southern Chinese descent. Viral infection with Ebstein-Barr virus, which is contagious and spread through body fluids, is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

 


While the kind of diet we follow has implications in the causation of cancer, the  most important impact of diet on the risk of cancer is mediatedthrough body weight. Overweight, obesity, and inactivity are majorcontributors to cancer risk. According to a study done by American Cancer Society, obese individuals had higher mortality from all cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, uterine and cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, and gall bladder cancer compared to their normal-weighted counterparts.

 


Regular physical activity leads to a lower prevalence of being overweight and obesity and lessen the burden of cancer through this pathway as well as decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

 


Another method that may be employed to decrease the risk of cancer is chemopreventio. It  is the use of a range of interventions from drugs to isolateddietary components to whole-diet modulation to block, reverse, orprevent the development of invasive cancer, hence reducing cancer risk. Some of the micronutrients that have shown experimental benefit in the risk reduction of cancer are beta-carotene, alpha carotene and lycopene which are found in fruits and vegetables. These micronutrients act as antioxidants. There is evidence from clinical trials that suggest benefit with the use of general nutrients such as folic acid, vitamins, and calcium for cancer risk reduction, as reported by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research.

 


Some other dietary products that have shown benefit are curcumin( present in turmeric), ginger, green tea, omega-3 fatty acids, and berries. These have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential and can be added as supplements to regular diet.

 


A few, but significant clinical trials have shown that with the use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs such as aspirin and celecoxib, there has been a risk reduction in colorectal cancer.

 


With the support of evidence, it is safe to say that by adopting these habits, one can benefit in the prevention of cancer. In addition to this, the screening of normal individuals or individuals at risk for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer can be done to detect cancer at it early stage and hence, receive treatment that would increase chances for cure significantly.

 


For more information and for availing screening tests, contact your nearest surgeon, gynecologist or oncologist.