Download Diet and Cancer

Diet and Cancer
Cancer
Cancer is the 2nd most common cause
of death in the US after heart disease.
 Cancer kills 1 out of every 4 Americans.
 The risk of developing cancer can be
reduced by changes in a person’s
lifestyle.

What is Cancer?
Normal body cells grow, divide and die
in an orderly fashion.
 Cancer cells are different because they
do not die, just continue to divide and
grow.
 Cancer cells form as a result of
damaged DNA.

What is Cancer?
These damaged genes can be passed
on, which accounts for inherited
cancers.
 In other cases, the DNA is damaged by
an outside source such as smoking.
 Cancer usually forms a tumor.

What is Cancer
There are two types of tumors: Malignant
and Benign
Malignant tumors spread to other areas
in the body. These are the dangerous
ones.
 Benign tumors stay in one place.

Types of Cancer
Sarcoma-rise from connective tissue
such as muscle or bone and are more
common in younger people.
 Carcinomas-which occur in epithelial
tissue and are more common in older
people. It includes lung, breast,
prostate, and colon.

Types of Cancer
Leukemia- cancers of the blood or blood
forming organs.
 Lymphomas- affect the lymphatic
system. The lymphatic system is a
group of vessels and nodes that act as
the body’s filter. It prevents bacteria
and foreign invaders from entering the
bloodstream.

Causes of Cancer
80% are considered sporadic- meaning
the cause is unknown. There are
several risk factors that increase the
chance of cancer:
Age- risk increases >50.
 Diet- high fat, high cholesterol diets
increase risk.

Causes of Cancer
Obesity- no clear link but research
indicates it is a factor
 Cigarettes- increases lung cancer, other
tobacco products such as pipes and
chewing tobacco increase cancers of
the mouth.
 Long term exposure to chemicalsasbestos, radon and benzene.

Causes of Cancer
Exposure to high levels of radiation
 Harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.
 Some viruses- Hepatitis B, C, HPV,
Epsteinn-Barr.
 Immune system diseases

Causes of Cancer

Heredity
Screenings are recommended for high
risk families. You are considered high
risk if : Several relatives have had
cancer or if someone had cancer at a
very early age.
Symptoms of Cancer
Remember one word: CAUTION
 Changes in bowel or bladder habits.
 A sore that will not heal.
 Unusual bleeding or discharge
 Thickening or lump in breast or any part
of the body.
CAUTION
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing.
 Obvious change in any wart or mole
 Nagging cough or hoarseness.

Diagnosis of Cancer
Biopsy- small tissue sample under a
microscope to look for cancerous cells.
 Endoscopy- a flexible plastic tube with a
tiny camera
 Diagnostic Imaging- x rays

Diagnosis of Cancer
CAT scan- more precise than standard
x-ray.
 MRI- uses a powerful magnetic field,
very accurate but expensive.
 Blood Tests- some tumors release
substances called tumor markers which
can be found in the blood.

Treatment of Cancer
Types of treatment:
 Surgery- 60% of all cancer pts. have
some kind of surgery.
 Radiation Therapy
 Chemotherapy
 Immunotherapy
Diet and Cancer
The American Cancer Society
recommends 4 rules of thumb for
cancer prevention:
 Choose most of the foods you eat from
plant sources. 5 or more servings
 Limit intake of high fat foods, particularly
from animal sources.
Diet and Cancer
Be physically active.
 Limit alcohol intake.

Dietary Components
Associated with Cancer
Excesses of Certain substances such as:
 Fat- the end products of metabolism
have been found to be carcinogenic.
 Alcohol- has been connected with liver,
colorectal, and breast cancers.
 Pickled and Smoked Foods- related to
cancers of the esophagus and stomach.
that may increase the risk.
Dietary Components
Associated with Cancer

Cooking methods have also been found
to have a role in cancer. Frying or
charcoal-broiling meats at very high
temperatures creates chemicals
Protective Dietary
Components
Certain foods and nutrients have been
shown to protect against certain types
of cancers.
 Vitamin C - has been shown to protect
against cancer of stomach, esophagus,
and oral cavity.
 antioxidants- these are certain nutrients
found in fruits and vegetables.

Protective Dietary
Components




Fruits and Veggies- contain vitamins, fiber
and phytochemicals.
Vitamin E and selenium- both antioxidants
that protect cells against breakdown.
Calcium- Calcium reduces cell turnover rates.
Water- drinking more than 5 glasses a day
has been associated with a lower risk of
cancer.
Diet and Cancer

Fiber- Insoluble fiber is connected to
decreased risk of colon cancer.
Beans, vegetables, whole grains and
fruit are good sources.
Diet and Cancer
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Salt- some evidence links diets
containing large amounts of foods
preserved by pickling and salting to
increased cancers of the stomach, nose
and throat.
Diet and the Cancer Patient
Nutrition is an important part of
treatment.
 Eating the right kinds of food before,
during and after treatment can help the
patient feel better and stay stronger.
 Treatments can have an affect on
appetite.

Diet and the Cancer Patient
People with cancer have unique
nutrition needs.
 Eating enough food is usually not a
problem. Treatment can have an
adverse effect on appetite.
 Nutrition suggestions often emphasize
eating high calorie, high protein foods.

Diet and the Cancer Patient
Treatments kill cancer cells but they also
kill healthy cells. This can cause side
effects such as:
 Loss of appetite, sore mouth or throat,
dry mouth, dental and gum problems,
changes in taste or smell, nausea,
diarrhea, constipation, fatigue and
depression.
Diet and the Cancer Patient
It is very important to have good
nutrition to minimize the side effects of
cancer, prevent or reverse nutritional
deficiencies, and to maximize the
quality of life.
 The best method of calorie intake is by
mouth. Sometimes this is not possible.

Diet and the Cancer Patient
Other options of intake are:
 Feeding Tube
 TPN or total parenteral nutrition- this is
nutrition directly through a vein.
Stop , Look, and Listen
Be aware of your body, this is the best
prevention against cancer.
 Early detection can be the difference
between life and death!
 Here are some things to look for early
detection of the most common cancers.

Stop, Look, and Listen
Breast Cancer- look for a lump, any
puckering, dimpling or scaling of the
breast skin.
 Colorectal Cancer- blood in the stool,
prolonged diarrhea, or constipation.
 Endometrial Cancer- (lining of the
uterus) bleeding between periods or
after menopause.

Stop, Look, and Listen
Cervical Cancer-Bleeding after
intercourse, or between periods
 Prostate- Frequent or painful urination,
blood in the urine, difficulty starting and
stopping.
 Testicular Cancer- a change in the
consistency of the testicles, or a small
hard lump that is often painless.

Stop, Look, and Listen
Oral Cancer- white or velvety red
patches
 Skin Cancer- Check body from head to
toe, looking for new moles, or those that
have suddenly increased in size,
changed color, or bleed easily.
 Lung cancer- chest pain, recurring
bronchitis, or pneumonia

5 for the Road
Five things you should remember about
preventing cancer.
Eats lots of fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains.
 Discover the pleasure of physical
activity.

5 for the Road
Stay tobacco free
 Enjoy a low-fat diet
 Protect yourself from the sun between
10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Conclusion
Cancer is a preventable disease in most
cases.
 Lead a healthy lifestyle.
 Be aware of your body.
 Great resource: www.cancer.org
