A DISEASE OF BODY CELLS — CANCER

According to WHO, 30% — 50% of cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies. — ET Health World (February 04, 2022, on World Cancer Day: Time to close the care gap by Dr. Kirti Chadha, Chief Scientific Officer, Sr. Consultant Oncopathologist, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.)

On this WORLD CANCER DAY; which is observed every year on 4th February, to raise awareness about the various cancers affecting humankind; let’s learn how to prevent them from troubling us and the people we love.

WHAT IS THIS CANCER?

It is basically, an abnormal division of cells that can spread throughout the body. It can be generally regarded as a disease of the body cells (Which happens to be the basic unit of life. All the more reason to prevent and have knowledge on the same)

CANCER STATUS IN OUR COUNTRY

India ranks 3rd among nations in terms of the highest number of cancers. Over 13 lakh people in India suffer from cancers every year, as per the National Cancer Registry Programme report.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) estimates that there will be a 12 percent rise in cases in India by the next five years.

The most common forms of cancer affecting the Indians are breast cancer, cervical cancer, and oral cancer.

WHO IS AT RISK?

These are based on the result of the interaction between a person’s genetic factors, exposure to certain carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), and lifestyle.

1. Sedentary lifestyles

2. Prone to urban pollution

3. Obesity

4. Tobacco and alcohol consumption

5. Stress

6. Poor dietary habits

7. Advanced aging

WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE CANCER BODY?

There is an increase in free radicals (highly reactive oxygen molecules which have lost an electron) that snatches electrons from other molecules, a process that causes much damage, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

HOW CAN THIS BE PREVENTED?

Let’s dive into the prevention part:

1. Eat more colored natural foods — contains antioxidants and phytochemicals that neutralize the free radicals. Cancer has diet as one of the most important modifiable risk factors. The colored pigments are potential pharmaceutical ingredients that give various beneficial health effects, as it has antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. These act as protective shields to our bodies. Different mechanisms and pathways are involved in the protective effects, including the free-radical scavenging pathway.

2. Include herbs on daily basis — boost immunity. Cancer is also an effect of a compromised immune system. Phenolic compounds from medicinal herbs and dietary plants are responsible for their chemopreventive properties (anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory effects)

3. Feed on the green. Avoid processed meat (as much as possible) — processed animal foods, such as charred and smoked meats when consumed more are associated with developing cancer risk. It increases the exposure to potentially carcinogenic chemicals and therefore be minimized. Fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, contain more fiber, which aids in weight management. They also contain antioxidants and phytochemicals.

4. Move more. Maintain normal body weight — obesity is one of the risk factors. Although there are several reasons for a person to be obese, a sedentary or inactive lifestyle is considered a major reason. Being physically active decreases the risk of getting cancer. It is also associated with a lower risk of developing certain site-specific cancers, in particular colon and breast cancers.

5. Stress Management — No matter how religiously we follow certain rules of being healthy if one is not at peace with oneself nothing really works. Stress management is key to preventing several complications including cancer. Practicing meditation, yoga, and mindfulness can significantly help in managing stress.

References:

1. Kumud Khanna. (1997) Textbook of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2nd edition, Elite Publishing House, New Delhi.

2. Srilakshmi, B. (2014) Dietetics, 8th Multi Colour Edition, New Age International Publications, New Delhi.

3. World Cancer Day 2022: Most Common Cancers In India and Why They’re Rising — https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/world-cancer-day-2022-most-common-cancers-in-india-and-why-theyre-rising-4730711.html

4. World Cancer Day: Time to close the care gap — https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/world-cancer-day-time-to-close-the-care-gap/89326816

5. American Cancer Society guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention — Kushi, L.H., Doyle, C., McCullough, M., Rock, C.L., Demark-Wahnefried, W., Bandera, E.V., Gapstur, S., Patel, A.V., Andrews, K., Gansler, T. and (2012), American Cancer Society guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 62: 30–67. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.20140

6. Herbals, Cancer Prevention and Health — Michael J. Wargovich, Cynthia Woods, Destiny M. Hollis, Mary E. Zander, Herbals, Cancer Prevention and Health, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 131, Issue 11, November 2001, Pages 3034S–3036S, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/131.11.3034S

7. Strategies of Functional Food for Cancer Prevention in Human Beings. — Zeng, Ya-Wen, Jia-Zheng Yang, Xiao-Ying Pu, Juan Du, Tao Yang, Shu-Ming Yang, and Wei-Hua Zhu. “Strategies of Functional Food for Cancer Prevention in Human Beings.” Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention, March 30, 2013. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.3.1585

8. Anthocyanidins and anthocyanins: colored pigments as food, pharmaceutical ingredients, and the potential health benefits — Hock Eng Khoo, Azrina Azlan, Sou Teng Tang & See Meng Lim (2017) Anthocyanidins and anthocyanins: colored pigments as food, pharmaceutical ingredients, and the potential health benefits, Food & Nutrition Research, 61:1, DOI: 10.1080/16546628.2017.1361779

9. Natural Phenolic Compounds From Medicinal Herbs and Dietary Plants: Potential Use for Cancer Prevention — Wu-Yang Huang, Yi-Zhong Cai & Yanbo Zhang (2009) Natural Phenolic Compounds From Medicinal Herbs and Dietary Plants: Potential Use for Cancer Prevention, Nutrition, and Cancer, 62:1, 1–20, DOI: 10.1080/01635580903191585

10. Physical activity and cancer prevention — data from epidemiologic studies — Lee IM. Physical activity and cancer prevention — data from epidemiologic studies. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2003 Nov;35(11):1823–1827. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000093620.27893.23. PMID: 14600545.

11. State of the epidemiological evidence on physical activity and cancer prevention — Christine M. Friedenreich, Heather K. Neilson, Brigid M. Lynch, State of the epidemiological evidence on physical activity and cancer prevention, European Journal of Cancer, Volume 46, Issue 14, 2010, Pages 2593–2604, ISSN 0959–8049, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2010.07.028

12. Psychosocial predictors of four health-promoting behaviors for cancer prevention using the stage of change of Transtheoretical Model — Choi, J.H., Chung, K.-M. and Park, K. (2013), Psychosocial predictors of four health-promoting behaviors for cancer prevention using the stage of change of Transtheoretical Model. Psycho-Oncology, 22: 2253–2261. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3278