Reduce Cancer Risk with Weight Loss

According the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), 320 cancer cases could be prevented per day; that’s approximately 117,000 cases per year by keeping our weight under control.

As the chart below indicates, obesity contributes to several different forms of cancer. But while most Americans know the relationship between obesity, heart disease and diabetes, very few know the impact of obesity on cancer.



A recent poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that just 7% of those surveyed mentioned cancer when asked about the consequences of obesity. Other surveys have found that for Americans under the age of 65, cancer is our greatest health fear, and a disease that many feel they have very little control over. Fear can be a very powerful motivator, but only if you think you can do something to lower risk. The combination of fear with a perception of little or no control however, leads to more fear but no action.  

But there is a lot that we can do to lower our risk, and for many it starts with weight management. According to Susan Higginbotham, PhD, MPH, RD, AICR’s Director of Research, “our understanding of how excess body fat causes cancer is one of the hot topics in research right now.”  It has been found that excess body fat produces proteins called cytokines that cause chronic inflammation, which increase cancer risk and being overweight or obese also increases insulin levels, which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.

The good news is that even moderate weight loss helps to reduce the risk. Not that we need any more reasons to work on managing our weight, but maybe having one more will help.

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.

Friday Fitness: What you may not know about Devin's Dash

Devin's Dash is only 8 days away!!! We’re so honored to be able to celebrate Devin’s life through such an event, as his passion for running and healthy living was evident in his everyday life. Help us spead his 'Pure Energy'!

The big day is next Saturday, October 8th!! The race starts at 8 am and will be followed by a pool party celebrating the life of Devin and all those touched by cancer. Join us for some H3 snacks, Yoga, Zumba Latin dancing, award announcements and raffle prizes! There's still time to register - just visit the websit below:
http://www.active.com/running/hilton-head-island-sc/devins-dash-memorial-5k-2011

Don't miss this year's packet pick-up and Sponsorship Expo on Friday, October 7th from 3-7 pm, for your chance to purchase raffle tickets, reunite with members from the cast of "HEAVY," listen to a special presentation from H3 Education Director Bob Wright, receive free blood screenings and visit with exhibitors from local businesses.

If you are unable to attend this year's festivities, you can still support the American Cancer Society by making a donation in Devin's name through this website:
http://www.active.com/donate/devinsdash2011

Contact Jeff Ford at jford@hhhealth.com for more information.

Protect Your Health with Prevention

As many of have probably heard by now, we recently lost a colleague and dear friend Devin Schaeffer.  Unfortunately, Devin developed a fairly rare form of intestinal cancer for which there are no effective screening tests, and by the time it was diagnosed it could not be successfully treated.  Fortunately, there are effective screening tests for several of the most common and deadly cancers.  However, many people are unaware of the guidelines, or ignore them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, while screening rates have improved, millions are not getting the tests and as a result, thousands are dying needlessly.  For example 7 million American women who should have had a mammogram, have gone without it, and 22 million Americans who should have undergone colon cancer screening have not done so.  Even healthy, famous doctors are not immune to the risks of cancer.  Dr. Oz recently decided to get a colonoscopy.  Not because he felt he was at risk and needed one, but because he had just turned 50 and meeting the criteria for screening, he thought he should be a good role model and practice what he preaches.  No one was more surprised than him when he was informed that he a precancerous polyp.  Fortunately it was removed then and there during the colonoscopy.  Dr Oz admitted that had he not been such a public figure he may have waited several years before getting screened and by that time he may have developed a life threatening case of colon cancer.  Please review the following guidelines published by the American Cancer Society and if you meet the criteria for screening for any of the cancers listed - call your doctor TODAY.

One way to honor those who have passed away is to do something they would be proud of; I know Devin would be proud to know that he may have helped motivate you to take positive steps to preserve and improve your health.  Another way to honor Devin is to participate in the first annual Devin’s Dash Memorial 5k Race on October 16th.  I know that most of will not be able to come to Hilton Head and actually run or walk the actual course, but how about doing your own 5K that morning.  Hop in your car and chart out a 3.1 mile course and walk or jog it the 16th.  The race starts at 8:00am.  Join us in spirit and effort even if you can’t actually be here.  Donations are being accepted in his honor and will go directly to the American Cancer Society. You may register for the race and donate here.