Proactive Cancer Prevention

The topic of my last post was cancer, and while I don’t normally address the same basic topic two posts in a row, in this case it seemed to be the right thing to do. Surveys in the United States and England a have consistently found that cancer is our greatest health fear. And according the American Institute for Cancer Research, only 20% of people believe that cancer is a preventable disease.  Alice Bender MS,RD AICR’s Nutrition Communication Manager, puts it this way , “we have a high level of fear about cancer and a feeling that there is not much we can do about it, and that is a toxic combination.”  

As a follower of H3Daily, you know about  Devin Sheaffer, H3 massage therapist and a friend to all who knew him, passed away on August 26^th, 2010. Devin died suddenly of a rare form of stomach cancer that had no known behavioral risk factors. When you see a young vibrant, apparently healthy friend die of cancer, especially a form of cancer with no known cause, it can enhance the fear and reinforce the belief that there is little we can do to prevent it. But the reality is that 1/3 of the most common types of cancers could be prevented by diet, exercise and weight management and another third by not smoking. So while it may appear to many that cancer is a bad luck, random disease (and in some cases such as Devin’s it is), the majority of cancers are caused by things we have control over. Review the AICR’s 10 Recommendations for Cancer Prevention.

We would love to see you next Saturday September 22^nd as we celebrate Devin’s life at the 3^rd annual Devin’s Dash. Proceeds of the event will be used to send local children with cancer to an overnight camp called Happiness is Camping. Visit the Devin's Dash page on H3Daily for more information about Devin’s Dash, the Happiness is Camping camp or to make a donation if you can’t attend this year's race.

[caption id="attachment_8639" align="alignright" width="420" caption="Good friends Kelia and Devin"][/caption]

Study Finds Obesity Increases Cancer Risk

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research 1/3 of the most common cancers could be prevented through diet, physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight. By not smoking another 1/3 can be eliminated.

Two new studies support the weight/cancer connection. The first has to do with breast cancer reoccurrence. Previous studies have found there is a relationship between obesity and the development of breast cancer, as well as the reoccurrence of breast cancer in women who have already been diagnosed.  This study, published in the journal Cancer, was based on research sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Compared to women of normal weight, obese women were 40% more likely to have a breast cancer reoccurrence. The connection was especially strong for women with estrogen receptor-positive cancer, which accounts for most cases of breast cancer. View this video discussing the study linking obesity with increases risk of breast cancer.

The other study looked at the relationship between obesity and the development of pro inflammatory chemicals. Long term exposure to these chemicals has been associated with a number or chronic diseases including heart disease and some forms of cancer. Excess weight, especially in the belly (visceral fat) is known to produce these pro-inflammatory chemicals. The  study published in the May issue of Cancer Research, found that overweight, post-menopausal women who lose just 5% of their body weight significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory chemicals thought to be associated with the increase risk.  While a weight loss of 5% (10lbs for someone 200lbs) may not seem very impressive, from a cancer risk perspective it certainly is. Other studies have found a similar relationship between a 5% weight loss and the reduced risk if heart disease and diabetes.

While weight management certainly plays a role in reducing the risk of cancer, there are several other factors as well. Check out this infographic from the American Institute for Cancer Research on cancer prevention:  

Reducing your Cancer Risk

If you are reading this blog, you know about Devin Sheaffer, H3’s  beloved massage therapist that passed  away last year from cancer. The type of cancer Devin died from is rare with no known behavioral risk factors. When we hear about someone dying from a type of cancer that seems to have no real cause, especially if it is someone we know and care about, it can reinforce the misconception that many people have: that cancer is something we can do  very little to prevent. And while, unfortunately, that was the case with Devin’s type of cancer, that is not the case with many forms of cancer. Specifically, the ones that affect the most people. For example, while there are over 200 different types of cancer, the two most influenced by lifestyle, lung and colorectal, are responsible for almost 40% of all  cancer deaths. Smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of all lung cancer deaths.

Approximately one third of all cancer deaths each year are due to poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excess weight. In fact, surprisingly after tobacco smoking, obesity is the principle cause of cancer in the U.S.  So the fact is, there is a lot we can do to reduce our risk of cancer. The American Cancer Society and the American Institute for Cancer Research are great resources for cancer information in general and specifically to learn what you can do to lower your risk.

To reduce your cancer risk they recommend that we:

• Maintain a healthy body weight throughout life


• Adopt a physically active lifestyle


• Consume a healthy diet with an emphasis on plant sources.


• Limit the consumption of red meat and avoid processed meats.


• Limit your consumption of alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day for women , 2 drinks per day for men.


• Avoid sugary drinks and other calorically dense foods.


• Limit the consumption of salty foods.


• Don’t Smoke.

Not only will these behaviors lower your risk of many types of cancer, but they will lower your risk of many other chronic diseases as well including heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.