Cancer is widely known as the leading cause of death. The disease results from an abnormal growth of cells, the abnormal cells divide uncontrollably in your body, they invade or spread to many other parts inside the body leading to destruction of body tissues. Apart from hereditary causes, the disease is also caused by many other factors such as tobacco, obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity or excess alcohol. There are very many types of cancers, but we shall focus on a few.
- BREAST CANCER. This is the most common cancer among women which affects 1 in 8 women during their lives. It develops from breast tissues. Symptoms of this cancer include a lump in the breast, a change in size or shape of the breast, abnormal discharge from the nipples [pus]. Breast self-examination and mammography can help fight breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. One possible treatment is usually surgery [a lumpectomy or mastectomy], this is surgical removal of breasts partially or completely. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Men can also develop breast cancer too but it is usually rare.
FOODS THAT HELP TO PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OR PROGRESSION OF BREAST CANCER
- A wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables I; e dark green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, eggplant, citrus fruits, carrots broccoli and kale, apples, pears, peaches and strawberries.
- Food that are rich in fiber, such as whole grains, beans and legumes.
- Low fat milk and dairy products.
- Soybeans- based products.
- Foods rich in vitamin D.
- Foods particularly spices with anti-inflammatory properties like pepper and turmeric.
- Green tea.
LIST OF FOODS TO AVOID
- Researchers have identified a link between regular alcohol consumption and an increased risk of breast cancer. Alcohol increases estrogen levels and cause damage to DNA cells.
- SUGAR. If one eats a diet rich in sugar they are more likely to develop mammary gland tumors which are more likely to spread.
- FATS. Fat from processed foods like fried foods, junk foods is linked to high chance of breast cancer.
- RED MEAT. Processed meats and cold cuts tend to be high in fat, salt and preservatives and are not considered effective foods for breast cancer prevention.
- CERVICAL CANCER. This is cancer that starts in the cervix. More than 12,000 women are diagnosed with this type every year. It affects the entrance of the uterus [womb] and commonly occurs in women over 30 years. The cervix is the narrow part of the lower uterus often referred to as neck of the womb. Majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV [human papillomavirus] a sexually transmitted virus. But the HPV vaccine successfully prevents the virus from harming the body.
- Having many sexual partners or becoming sexually active early is a risk factor.
- Symptoms include bleeding between periods and after sex, bleeding in post-menopausal women, and discomfort during sexual intercourse, smelly vaginal discharge and pelvic pain.
- Women are advised to have regular cervical smear or pap tests at least twice in a year.
- Survival rates are good if cervical cancer is caught early.
FOODS THAT HELP FIGHT OR CONTROL CERVICAL CANCER.
- FLAVONOIDS RICH FOODS. This are chemical compounds in fruits and vegetables that are a leading cause of protection against cancer. For example Apples, black beans, broccoli, cabbage, cranberries, garlic lettuce, soy and spinach.
- FOLATE AS A CERVICAL CANCER RISK REDUCER. Foods rich in folate reduce the risk of cervical cancer in people with HPV. It is possible that folate helps the body stop HPV infection from coming back repeatedly, which decreases the risk of developing cancer. Such foods include: avocados, chickpeas, fortified cereals and breads, lentils, and orange juice.
- CAROTENOIDS. Carotenoids, a source of vitamin A, are also helpful in preventing cervical cancer risks, in addition to the fruits above, you could also include foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins.
Although this diet is important they cannot prevent cervical cancer by itself, cervical cancer is primarily a lifestyle disease and it is important for you to get screened once in a while.
- PROSTATE CANCER. This is a cancer that affects men. It is a cancer in a man’s prostate, a small walnut-sized gland that produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It is one of the common types of cancer in men. Usually it grows slowly and is initially confined to the prostate gland. It begins when some cells in your prostate become abnormal. The protein excreted by the prostate specific antigen [PSA] helps semen retain its liquid state. An excess of this protein in the blood is one of the first signs of prostate cancer. Symptoms may include:
- Trouble urinating.
- Decreased force in the stream of urine.
- Blood in semen.
- Discomfort in the semen area.
- Bone pain and erectile dysfunction.
- Excess urination at night.
Your risk of prostate cancer increases as you age, also if a member of your family suffered this disease your risk of getting it is also increased, obese men diagnosed with prostate cancer may be more likely to have advanced that is more difficult to treat,
This cancer is treatable if found in the early stages, men are advised to get regular screening. However, if it is discovered late one can undergo Radical prostatectomy– the prostate is surgically removed, Brachytherapy- radioactive seeds are implanted into the prostate to deliver targeted radiation treatment. Chemotherapy may be recommended as it can kill cancer cells around the body.
HEALTHY DIET FOR PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS
- Eat red grapes, drink the juice also and take red wine regularly
- Watch your weight by doing exercises regularly.
- Eat leafy dark green vegetables frequently. Cruciferous vegetables are cancer protective this include cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
- Tomatoes or tomato products are very high in lycopene, a powerful anti-cancer substance. This include pizza sauce, tomato paste and ketchup.
- Use olive oil which is healthy and rich in vitamin E
- Drink green tea several times each week.
- Increase vitamin C consumption, e.g. citrus berries, spinach sweet peppers and mangoes.
- Take multivitamin with B complex daily.
- Get enough sunshine daily
WHAT TO AVOID
- Reduce animal fat in your diet.
- Avoid Tran’s fatty acids that are known to promote cancer growth e.g. margarines, fried or baked foods.
- Avoid high calcium diets, which are believed to stimulate prostate cancer growth.
- Avoid high dose zinc supplements.
- Avoid excess preserved or salted foods.
- This is considered one of the most dangerous of them all. Also called [cancer of the blood]. It is a cancer that begins in the bone marrow and results in high number of abnormal white blood cells which are not fully developed, it is more common in men than in women.
Blood has 3 types of cells, red cells that carry oxygen, white cells that fight infections and platelets that help blood to clot, everyday billions of new blood cells are made in the bone marrow most of them are red blood cells. But when you have leukemia, your body makes more white cells than it needs. These leukemia cells can’t fight infection the way normal white blood cells do and since they are so many they start to affect the way your organs work. Eventually, there aren’t enough red cells to supply oxygen and enough platelets to clot the blood or even normal white cells to fight infection. This can cause problems like anemia, bruising and bleeding.
There is really nothing a person can do to prevent leukemia, but certain behavior could trigger development of this disease e.g. if you are a tobacco smoker you are more prone to getting leukemia it is also associated with high amount of radiation exposure and certain chemicals, also some kinds of chemotherapy and radiation used to treat other cancers can cause leukemia, family history is another factor of leukemia. The treatment of leukemia depends on the type that one has.
- Uses drugs to kill cancer cells in your blood and bone marrow. It can be done through injection into a vein, as a pill or into the fluid around your spinal cord.
- It uses high x-rays to kill leukemia cells or keep them from growing.
- BIOLOGIC THERAPY also called immunotherapy, helps your immune system find and attack cancer cells.
- STEM CELL TRANSPLANT. This replaces the leukemia cells in your bone marrow with new once that make blood.
- The doctor removes your spleen if it is filled with cancer cells and is pressing on nearby organs.
FOOD AND FRUITS TO EAT WITH THIS TYPE OF CANCER
- FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. This are a great source of vitamins, mineral antioxidant, and phynto chemicals that potentially fight cancer cells. Eat 10 fruits and vegetables daily.
- STEAMED VEGETABLES. This is the best process for extracting nutrients from vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, cauliflower and sweet peas. Also, soup made from spinach, sukuma wiki, can offer great support to your health, as well as low sodium vegetable juice.
- WHOLE GRAINS. Eat foods that offer 100% whole grain such as brown rice, cereal, provide large amounts of nutrients compared to refined grains.
- PROTEINS. Protein may offer relief from nausea and vomiting caused by leukemia chemotherapy treatment. Protein can also strengthen the body and fend off weakness caused by chemotherapy
FOODS TO AVOID
- Daily products.
- Food additives
- Fried foods.
- Refined foods [wheat bread, pasta, white rice, and sugar]
- Coffee, tobacco, and alcohol.
Cancer is believed to have no cure. But with early screening it can be detected and hence treated, you are advised to get regular cancer screening to prevent yourself from getting this dreadful disease.