Download Cancer Prevention Is Cancer Preventable?

CANCER PREVENTION
WHAT WE KNOW
Megan Oden PA-C
SOAR program co-lead
WHY IS CANCER PREVENTION SO
IMPORTANT?
Over half a million people die from cancer each year in
the United States despite improvement in survival rates.
 Cancer is the number one cause of death in the US,
outranking cardiovascular disease (heart disease,
stroke).
Aging is the single largest risk factor for developing
cancer.
AGING AND CANCER
All about the telomeres
 As our DNA ages, the telomeres shorten
 The shortening of the telomeres is also believed to be
associated with cancer cell development.
CAN CANCER BE PREVENTED?
Only 5-10% of cancers are hereditary
 It is estimated that 50% of cancer is preventable
 It is never too late to cut your risk!
PREVENTION VS SCREENING
 Both screening and prevention can reduce the likelihood of
dying from cancer.
 Screening is used to detect cancer before there are symptoms.
- colonoscopy, mammogram, PSA, pap smear, etc
 Prevention focuses on changes you can make to limit risk
factors that promote cancer.
These preventable risk factors account for TWO-THIRDS of all
cancers in the US.
MODIFY YOUR RISK
 Tobacco
 Alcohol
 Sun exposure
 Physical activity
 Weight
 Diet
 Supplements
TOBACCO
 Tobacco is THE most preventable cause of cancer accounting for 21% of all
cancer deaths worldwide
 The risk is not limited to smoking cigarettes
 Its not just about lung cancer
-leukemia, cancers of the mouth, nose, sinuses, throat, esophagus,
pancreas, liver, stomach, cervix, kidney, colon and bladder
 Benefits of quitting go beyond cancer and it is NEVER too late to quit
WATCH THE RAYS
 Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US.
- More cases than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined
 Many skin cancers are curable (basal cell, squamous cell) but the incidence of
melanoma continues to rise
- estimated 9,710 deaths from melanoma in 2014
 Radiation from the sun is the primary cause of all skin cancers
 Intense exposures and blistering burns may be more dangerous than cumulative
sun exposure over many years.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
 Seek the shade, especially between 10am and 4pm
 No tanning beds- UV exposure from these is now classified as a carcinogen
 Avoid sun burns
 Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB coverage
- For prolonged outdoor activity minimum SPF of 30
- apply 30 minutes before going outside and every 2 hours
 See your physician annually for a skin check
ABCDE
STAY ACTIVE!
 25% of US adults are almost entirely sedentary
 Decreased physical activity appears to increase your overall risk of developing
cancer
- Most compelling data shown in colon cancer and breast cancer
 Aside from smoking cessation, exercise is one of the most important changes you
can make to decrease your cancer risk.
 How much do you need?
- 2 ½ hours of moderate-intensity activity weekly
- Muscle strengthening activity on 2 or more days a week
EXCESS WEIGHT
Excess weight/obesity associated with increased risk of
colorectal, breast, endometrial, kidney, and esophageal cancer
 Estimated to cause 20% of all cancers
 Risk can be reversible with weight loss
- Bariatric surgery associated with significant reduction in
the risk of dying from cancer- 60%
 Weight gain itself may increase your risk
DIET DILEMA
 Still a long way to go
 Results of studies are inconsistent and at times conflicting
 Break it down
- Fat
- Red meat
- Fruits and vegetables
- Supplements
DOES FAT INTAKE MATTER?
 No clear link between fat intake and colon or breast cancer risk
 May be an association with prostate cancer
 Verdict is still out
RED MEAT
 High intake of red meat is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in
both men and women
- beef, pork, veal, lamb
 Shown to increase risk of cancer mortality
 Why? Maybe from overcooking meat
- carcinogens may be formed when cooking meat at very high temps
- prepare by baking, broiling or poaching
 Choose fish, poultry or beans over red meat
EAT YOUR VEGGIES
 Results have been very inconsistent
 The American Cancer Society recommends following a diet rich in plant based foods
- 2 ½ cups and fruits/vegetables daily
 Emphasis is on WHOLE fruits and vegetables
 Variety is important
 Plant based diet?
- diet centered on whole unrefined plants.
Based on fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole grains, legume
Excludes or minimizes meat, dairy, eggs refined flour,
sugar and oil *
VITAMIN D
 Vitamin D may reduce the risk of colon cancer
 Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for developing prostate cancer
 Get you Vitamin D level checked!
 Factors that effect your Vitamin D level
- Geographic location and season
- skin tone
- age
- body weight
CALCIUM
 Associated with a reduced of colorectal cancer
BUT…
 May be associated with increased prostate cancer risk
- higher calcium intake
 Should you take a supplement?
- consider dietary sources: green leafy vegetables, sardines/salmon,
dairy(milk, yogurt, cheese), non-dairy milks (almond, soy, coconut)
- evaluate your risk for colon cancer
MEDITERRANEAN DIET
 High intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, fish, olive oil
 Associated with a decreased risk of cancer. No single cancer type has been
identified
 “Western” diet has been associated with a 30% increase in colon cancer risk
- the “meat-sweet” diet
- high in processed red meat, sugary desserts and drinks, high fat foods
(dairy), and refined grains.
 Dietary patterns may play more of a role than individual components of diet
ANTIOXIDANTS
 Free radicals are chemicals that can damage cells which may lead to cancer
 Antioxidants block the activity of these free radicals
 Results of studies have been inconsistent
 May have other health benefits
 Antioxidant supplements are not recommended.
ALCOHOL
 Excess intake increases the risk of multiple cancers
 Studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption increased the risk for
breast cancer.
 Even light consumption ( 1 drink/day) may increase the risk of some cancers
 Moderate alcohol use has other health benefits
THE HYPE
 - Vit E
 -Vit C
 - Fiber
 -Sugar
 -Omega 3
KNOW YOUR BODY
 Know your skin
 Know your bowel/urinary habits
 Know your weight
 Women, know your breasts
 Know your DNA
THE BASICS
 Avoid tobacco
 Be physically active and STAY physically active
 Maintain a healthy weight
 Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low in saturated fats
 Limit your alcohol
 Avoid excess sun exposure and SUN BURNS
QUESTIONS?