Things You Should Know About…CANCER!

WHAT IS CANCER?

Cancer, also known as malignant neoplasm, is defined as any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream. Cancer can spread from its original site to other parts of the body and can be fatal if not treated adequately².
Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that form tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant: Benign tumors are not cancer while malignant tumors are cancer ³.

Risk Factors⁴

Cancer is a result of complex mix of factors related to heredity, diet, physical inactivity and prolonged, continuous exposure to certain chemicals and other substances. A number of factors that increase a person’s chance of developing cancer has been identified and are called “risk factors”.

Cigarette Smoking
Smoking accounts for more than 85% of lung cancer deaths. Smokers are more likely to develop lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Overall, smoking has been linked to cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, pancreas and bladder.

Excessive Alcohol Intake
Heavy drinkers have an increased risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx and liver. Some studies suggest that even moderate drinking may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.

Unhealthy Diet
Diet plays an important role in the development of many cancers, particularly in the digestive and reproductive organs. Long-term habit of not eating a healthy diet has been linked that increases incidence of cancer. Likewise, being seriously overweight has been linked to breast cancer.

Chemicals and Other Substances
Exposure to substances such as chemicals, metals or pesticides can increase the risk of cancer. Asbestos, nickel, cadmium, uranium, radon, vinyl chloride and benzene are well-known cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). These may act alone or together with other carcinogens, like cigarette smoke, to increase the risk of cancer.


A weak or non-functioning immune system, poor health and an unhealthy environment can contribute to cancer. Factors which suppress immune functions are poor diet, stress, lack of proper exercise and lack of sufficient rest and sleep⁵.


Did You Know…

Based on the Philippine Health Statistics, Cancer is the 3rd leading cause of death in the Philippines, increasing at an annual rate of 6.6%. It accounts for almost 10% share from causes of total deaths in the Philippines.

According to Dr. Catherine Lisondra-Krings of the Philippine Cancer Society. Inc., despite breakthroughs in prevention, detection and cure geared towards lowering the incidence of cancer, 60 percent of cancer patients are unfortunate enough not to avail of cure and instead suffer through the illness painfully.


Five Leading Causes of Mortality in the Philippines*



Fast Fact⁶

People born in the 1940’s had double the rate of cancer as those born during the years 1888-1897.

The rise in cancer can be attributed to the fact that almost everything we come in contact with daily – free radicals, hormones, pesticides – is carcinogenic. Your body does its best to repair the damage caused by these foreign elements that it was never designed to handle. But in the process of cellular repair, the risk for error or mutations (i.e. cancerous cells) increases. A buildup of these mutations can cause cancer or birth defects.


¹Phoenix5:< http://www.phoenix5.org/glossary/cancer.html>
²Talking Glossary. From National Human Genome Research Institute:< http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=cancer>
³Understanding Cancer. From National Cancer Institute:< http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/overview/page3>
⁴Health Advisory. From National Center for Health Promotion: : ⁵Marek Roland-Mieszkowski, M.SC., Ph.D., Digital Recordings (Copyright 1992-2006). Cancer – A Biophysicist’s Point of View:< http://www.doh.gov.ph/CHD%20WEB/Cancer.htm>
⁶Fighting Body Pollution.

“Prevention is Better than Cure”

Reducing the Risk of Cancer

There is no 100% guarantee that cancer can ever be prevented. However, being aware of the cancer risk factors and a positive change in lifestyle will help in reducing the possibility of cancer. Early detection and proper treatment plays a big role in controlling cancer.

Here are some rules you can follow to reduce your risk of developing cancer:


1. Quit Smoking
2. Limit Drinking Alcoholic Beverages
3. Lose weight if you are overweight. Obesity is strongly linked to breast cancer in older women and cancers of the endometrium, kidney, colon, and esophagus
4. Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes per day for most days of the week. There is strong evidence that exercise by itself reduces the risk of colon and breast cancer. Risk is decreased the most among very active people
5. Avoid high-calorie, high-fat food. The chief causes of obesity are a lack of physical activity and eating too much high-calorie food. Avoid consuming large amounts of red and preserved meats, salt, and salt preserved foods. These may increase the risk of colorectal and stomach cancers
6. Eat a daily diet that includes a variety of foods from plant sources, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and whole grain breads and cereals. Fruits and vegetables contain substances (e.g., antioxidants) that help defend against toxic agents and disease

Health Essentials

Phytonutrients

which is commonly found in fruits and vegetables have the capability to reduce cancer risk by activating the body’s defense mechanisms and blocking the action of carcinogens.

Phytonutrients Sources:

Fruits and Vegetables

Antioxidants

are vital to maintaining good health because they de-activate free radicals (which may be a culprit in many illnesses such as cancer) that damage the healthy tissues of the body.

Antioxidant Sources:

Fruits and Vegetables, vegetable oils, fruit, meat, fish and poultry.

Studies show that Vitamin E has a beneficial effect on aging, heart disease and cancer.

Vitamin E’s

antioxidant properties help to protect the body from cell damage that can lead to diverse ailments such as cancer heart disease and cataracts.

Vitamin E Sources:

Vegetable oils (peanut, soya, palm, corn, safflower, sunflower, etc.) and wheat germ are the most important sources of vitamin E. Secondary sources are nuts, seeds, whole grains and leafy green vegetables.

Preservative nitrite, which is found in smoked or cured meat, has been linked to the formation of carcinogens in the body.

Taking Vitamin C

will help to inhibit the formation of these cancer-causing chemicals that nitrite produce.

Vitamin C Sources:

Citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, green pepper, cabbage, asparagus, potatoes.

NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT… SELENIUM


Selenium is a trace element found to a varying extent in soil. It enters the human diet through plants such as whole grains and through the meat of animals grazing on vegetation containing selenium. This mineral naturally occurs in foods such as whole grains, seafood, garlic, eggs and mushrooms.

According to Dr. Richard A. Passwater, " Your body needs this mineral for the production of several important body compounds, including enzymes, or catalysts, involved in antioxidant protection and thyroid-hormone metabolism. It has been estimated that there are between 50 and 100 different selenium-containing proteins in the human body, including those that build heart muscle, red blood cells, and sperm."

It is believed that selenium helps fight diseases including cancer by neutralizing harmful elements called "free radicals," the unstable molecules that damage tissues. Studies suggest that people with low selenium levels have a greater risk of developing or dying from cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, rectum, lung, and prostate.

Selenium occurs naturally in foods such as whole grains, seafood, garlic, eggs and mushrooms, but because much of the farming soil is nutrient depleted, it is important to supplement. "It is almost impossible for the average person to know how much (selenium) is in the diet because foods vary in their content depending upon where they come form. This is why the use of supplements is warranted in the case of selenium where it might not be warranted with other nutrients," comments Larry C. Clark, M.P.H, Ph.D.

Dr. Passwater: "Since we haven't really identified which dietary selenium compound(s) may protect against cancer, nor have we elucidated the mechanism(s) through which they act, I feel it is extremely important to stick with the exact supplement that has been proven effective in clinical trials which is high selenium yeast."

Studies found significant reduction in cancer in individuals receiving a daily 200-mcg selenium supplement. Patients who took daily doses of selenium had 63 percent fewer cases of prostate cancer, 58 percent fewer cases of colon or rectal cancers, and 45 percent fewer lung cancers than those not receiving supplement.



⁷Health Advisory. From National Center for Health Promotion: Reducing the Risk of Cancer:
⁸ Fighting Body Pollution
⁹ Selenium’s Nutritional Role. From Cypress. Nutritional Education: