Lifestyle for Cancer Care & Prevention PDF

# Lifestyle for the Care and Prevention of Cancer ## ACS Cancer Prevention Guidelines: Healthy Weight - Achieve and maintain a health weight throughout life. - Be as lean as possible throughout life without being underweight. - Avoid excess weight gain at all ages. For those who are overweight or...

# Lifestyle for the Care and Prevention of Cancer ## ACS Cancer Prevention Guidelines: Healthy Weight - Achieve and maintain a health weight throughout life. - Be as lean as possible throughout life without being underweight. - Avoid excess weight gain at all ages. For those who are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount has health benefits. - Get regular physical activity and limit intake of high-calorie foods and drinks. ## Cancer Risk ↑ with Obesity **Most strongly associated with:** - Colorectal - Pancreas - Uterus (postmenopausal) - Breast (postmenopausal) **Also associated with:** - Esophageal - Rectal - Kidney - Thyroid - Gallbladder - Liver - Ovarian - Prostate ## ACS Cancer Prevention Guidelines: Physical Activity - Be physically active. - Adults: ≥ 150 min moderate intensity or 75 min vigorous intensity per week - Children/teens: ≥ 1 hr moderate or vigorous intensity daily, with vigorous ≥ 3 days/week - Limit sitting, lying down, TV and other screen time - Physical activity above usual activities has health benefits ## ACS & AND Cancer Prevention Guidelines: Diet - Eat a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods. - Eat and drink in moderation. - Limit processed and red meat (i.e. ham, bacon, sausage). - Eat ≥ 2 ½ cups of vegetables and fruits daily. - Choose whole instead of refined grains. - Limit alcohol to 1 drink/day for women, 2 for men ## Is my diet carcinogenic? **1. Food additives vs. contaminants** - FDA GRAS status (non-nutritive sweeteners) - contamination (BPA, cadmium, mercury) **2. Food processing** - sodium nitrates, smoking **3. Irradiated foods** - food safety technology **4. Organics** - effect on cancer risk (vs. conventional) is unknown - micronutrient concentration studies inconsistent | Factor | Decreased Ca Risk | Increased Ca Risk | |---|---|---| | Lactation | Breast (pre- and post-menopause) | | | Physical Activity | Colorectum, Breast (post-menopause), Endometrium | | | Non-Starchy Veg | Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Esophagus, Stomach | | | Fruit | Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Esophagus, Lung, Stomach | | | Folate Foods | Pancreas | | | Carotenoid Foods | Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Lung | | | Beta Carotene Foods | Esophagus | Colorectum | | Vitamin C | Esophagus | Colorectum | | Calcium | Colorectum | | | Red or Processed Meat | | Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Esophagus, Liver, Colorectum, Breast (pre-/post-) | | Alcohol | | Lung (smokers should avoid supplements) | | Beta Carotene Supplements | | Esophagus, Pancreas, Colorectum, Breast (post-) | | Body Fatness | | | ## Alcohol ↑ Cancer Risk Alcohol intake greater than the recommended limits – 1 drink per day for women, 2 drinks per day for men – are associated with increased risk of: - Mouth - Pharynx - Larynx - Esophagus - Liver - Breast - Colon - Rectum **Risk is magnified when alcohol is combined with smoking.** ## CAM Care and Prevention of Cancer - **Complementary medicine:** nonstandard treatments used along with standard medical treatments. - Example: using acupuncture to reduce side effects of cancer treatment. - **Alternative medicine:** nonstandard treatments used instead of standard medical treatments. - Example: using a special diet to treat cancer instead of anticancer drugs prescribed by an oncologist. - **Integrative medicine:** total approach to medical care that combines standard medicine with CAM practices that have been shown to be safe and effective. Holistic: treat the patient's mind, body, and spirit. ## CAM in the Care and Prevention of Cancer **From the NCCIH:** - CAM: safe and effective vs. ineffective or possibly harmful - Natural ≠ Safe - Herbal supplements may be harmful by themselves, with other substances, or in large doses. - Kava Kava - Vitamins may have unwanted side effects - Vitamin C ## Supplements to Prevent Cancer Whole foods are your best bet for reducing your risk of cancer, not supplements. Research suggests the synergy between nutrients found naturally in foods offers a protective effect. The best sources of nutrients for cancer prevention are nutrient-rich whole foods and healthful beverages. Talk to your health care provider before taking any supplements. - Jill Kohn, MS, RDN, LDN, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics