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Everything
Doesn't Cause Cancer Facts on Preventing Cancer  |
Table of Contents A Common Fear If you are like many Americans, you are worried about cancer. In a recent survey conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), 36 percent of respondents said that cancer was their number one daily concern among a list of various diseases and physical conditions. In the same survey, 27 percent - or one in four Americans - thought that cancer is impossible to prevent. Clearly, Americans are worried about cancer because they do not know what they can do to help prevent it. Is There any Hope? In 1994, AICR and its affiliate, the World Cancer Research Fund in the U.K., assembled an expert panel of scientists from around the world to review what research can tell us about the connection between diet and cancer. The panel reviewed more than 4,500 studies. In 1997, the panel's report, Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: a global perspective, concluded that cancer is largely a preventable disease. The report showed for the first time that cancer is not inevitable. By making simple changes in your diet and lifestyle, you can dramatically reduce your cancer risk.
Return to table of contents The Myths about Cancer The origins of cancer are complex, and no one knows exactly what causes it. But scientists do have a good idea about which factors increase cancer risk. Yet they aren't the factors many people associate with cancer. For example, there is no proven link between pesticide residues on produce and cancer occurrence. Yet in the AICR survey, 72 percent of Americans believed pesticide residues are a risk factor. They also thought that food additives, stress, breast implants, beef hormones, genetically modified foods, power lines, artificial sweeteners and cell phones are significant risk factors for cancer. But research shows little or no support for these assumptions. There are many other supposed agents that have been labeled cancer-causing for which no scientific evidence or no consistent scientific evidence exists. This list includes fluoride in the water, antiperspirants, abortion, birth control pills, proximity to nuclear facilities and electromagnetic fields from electric blankets, computer terminals and household appliances. Major Cancer Risks The major factors that are scientifically proven to increase cancer risk all relate to a person's diet or lifestyle - things that you can choose to do something about. Although cancer occurs more frequently with age, you can greatly diminish your cancer risk by leading a healthy lifestyle and minimizing your exposure to the following factors. Tobacco. Cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco and regular exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke are responsible for nearly one-third of all cancer deaths in the United States each year. Avoiding tobacco will significantly decrease your risk of cancer. Diet. A mostly plant-based diet - rich in a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans - is strongly associated with a cancer-protective benefit. Plant foods contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals (unique plant substances) that inhibit the beginning and growth of cancer. There is convincing evidence that diets high in vegetables and fruits decrease the risk of cancers of the colon, rectum, lung, stomach, mouth, pharynx and esophagus, as well as offer protection against cancers of the breast, bladder, larynx and pancreas. You can further reduce your cancer risk by limiting your consumption of fat, salt, red meat and any animal meat cooked at high temperatures or in direct flame.
Alcohol. Alcohol consumption has been convincingly linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx and liver. The risk of cancer increases with the amount consumed. To decrease your risk, health experts recommend that women have no more than one drink a day and men no more than two drinks a day. Obesity. Research now indicates that obesity is an independent cancer risk. It has been linked to colon cancer and postmenopausal breast cancer in particular, as well as cancers of the endometrium, pancreas, prostate and kidney. Aim for a healthy body weight by reducing your portion sizes and increasing your activity level. If you do not see your weight gradually decreasing, contact your doctor or a registered dietitian for a more individualized plan. Sun Exposure. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (found primarily in sunlight, as well as sunlamps and tanning booths) causes premature aging of the skin and skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. By avoiding bright sunlight from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of at least 15, you can reduce your risk. Return to table of contents Minor Cancer Risks Some of the factors that people worry about cause only a relatively small percentage of cancer cases or only affect a small section of the population. It's important to put these minor risks into perspective. Genetics. Five to 10 percent of cancer cases are attributed to the presence of an inherited gene mutation ("cancer gene"). Although an inherited gene flaw increases a person's cancer risk, it does not guarantee that a person will develop cancer. A person's diet, lifestyle and environment have much more influence Regular screening tests can help detect cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage. If you have a strong family history of cancer or if a genetic test shows that you carry a cancer gene, you have an especially good reason to conduct routine self-examinations and see your doctor for periodic screening tests. Air, Land and Water Pollution. Some environmental pollutants, like pesticides, have been shown to induce cancer in laboratory animals at high doses, but they pose little risk to most people because of very low concentrations in the air, land or water. As a result, environmental pollutants are believed to contribute to a very small percentage of cancer incidence. A significant source of environmental pollution is the combustion of fossil fuels in motor vehicles, homes and industry. To help control this pollution, keep your car well tuned and consider using car pools or public transportation. You can also work with local citizen's groups to identify and eliminate polluted sites in your community.
Ionizing Radiation. There are both natural sources of radiation, like ultraviolet rays from the sun and radon (a naturally occurring gas), and man-made sources, like x-rays and radioactive waste. The risk of cancer increases in relationship to the length and intensity of exposure. Radiation may account for about three percent of all cancer incidence. Radon is considered a significant cause of lung cancer. To find out how to test your home for excessive levels of radon, contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236) or visit www.epa.gov/iaq/radon. Medical x-rays are also a known, minor cancer risk, but the benefits of x-ray diagnoses usually outweigh the cancer risk. You may wish to consult with your doctor about the need for each x-ray. Occupational Factors. Some workers come into regular contact with known carcinogens, such as asbestos, nickel, cadmium, uranium, radon, vinyl chloride and benzene. Consequently, researchers estimate that a small percentage of cancer cases result from workplace exposure. It is important to remember that the vast majority of Americans are not exposed to occupational cancer risks. To decrease your risk, be aware of possible carcinogens in the workplace. Wear recommended protective gear and strictly follow all safety procedures. A list of at-risk occupations and probable carcinogenic substances can be found on the National Cancer Institute's website at seer.cancer.gov/publications/raterisk/risks95.html. Viruses. Some viruses have been implicated in certain cancers. These include the Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B and C viruses, human papillomavirus (HPV) and the human T-cell leukemia virus. Practicing safe sex, avoiding the use of drug needles and being vaccinated for hepatitis B will protect you considerably from these viruses. Regular Papanicolaou (Pap) tests can find precancerous lesions caused by HPV before cervical cancer develops. Return to table of contents You're in Control By putting the major, minor and unproven risk factors into perspective, you can concentrate on making diet and lifestyle choices that substantially reduce your cancer risk. Eating a mostly plant-based diet low in fat, exercising regularly, maintaining an appropriate body weight, eliminating tobacco use, drinking alcohol in moderation (if at all) and limiting exposure to sunlight should help you live a long, healthy life. When you encounter sensational stories about "proven" cancer agents in newspapers, magazines, television shows, radio programs and on the Internet, use your common sense. Make sure the information is science-based and the source is reliable. Remember that research studies show that the major factors in cancer risk are things you can control.
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© 2002 American Institute for Cancer Research