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Normally, the body regulates the growth of new cells but occasionally abnormal cells are produced. These abnormal cells do not function properly and if they are not destroyed by the bodys surveillance system, they may develop (mutate) and also rapidly increase in number, causing cancer.
The abnormal cells may also spread to other parts of the body and multiply there. Cancer can occur in different parts of the body. In the UK, the most common cancers in men are lung cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. The most common cancers in women are breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer.
Diet has a greater influence on some types of cancer than others. The strongest links are with some cancers of the gastrointestinal tract e.g. of the mouth, throat, stomach and large bowel (colon). Dietary factors may protect against or reduce the risk of cancer.
For example, fruit and vegetables, consumed regularly, are thought to help reduce risk, whereas a low fibre intake or a high alcohol intake increase risk. Diet is only usually one of several factors involved.
There is moderate evidence that higher vegetable consumption will reduce the risk of colon cancer and that higher fruit and vegetable intake will reduce the risk of stomach cancer.
Terminal cancer - The final stageDespite of the numerous advances in the field of cancer in terms of diagnosis and treatment, it ranks largest in terms of deaths, and the deaths continue to increase. Terminal cancer is a stage when treatment becomes ineffective after a certain point due to rapid spread of the disease. It is the last stage of cancer. In generally more than half the persons diagnosed with this deadly disease, the treatment is ineffective after a point. A terminal cancer can be of many types. There can be terminal cancers related to the lungs or the blood, kidneys, cervical cancer, brain tumors etc. If detected a ..
There is also moderate evidence that higher consumption of fruit can reduce lung cancer risk although the major risk factor is smoking. The more of these foods consumed, the greater the reduction in risk. At least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day is recommended.
One of the mechanisms proposed to explain the effect of fruit and vegetables is via the antioxidants they contain, such as vitamin C, carotenoids and other plant phytochemicals.
However, although dietary intakes and blood levels of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E and beta-carotene have generally been associated with a lower risk of cancer (e.g. lung cancer), supplementation studies have not generally supported a protective effect.
In fact, supplementation with large doses of beta-carotene may increase the risk of lung cancer in high risk subjects (e.g. smokers). Maintaining body weight within the normal range may reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Being obese (very overweight) and having high intakes of energy may increase the risk of some cancers. For example in postmenopausal women, breast cancer risk is associated with being overweight.
Fat provides a large amount of energy so a high fat diet may make weight gain more likely. People who drink large amounts of alcohol have an increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly liver cancer and cancers in the mouth and oesophagus. If such people also smoke, this makes the risk of cancer even greater.
Cancer radiation therapy - don t let it scare you!Radiation therapy, also called as radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, or irradiation, is the treatment of disease using penetrating beams of high energy waves or streams of particles called radiation. For cancer radiation therapy, the radiation comes from special machines or from radioactive substances. Radiation therapy equipment aims definite amounts of the radiation at tumors or areas of the body where there is disease. How Does the Therapy Work? Radiation in high doses has the power to kill cells and it keeps them from growing and dividing. Since cancer cells grow and divide more rapidly than most ..
Carcinogens are substances which can start the process of cancer. Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens which cause lung cancer. Foods may also contain carcinogens. However, the risk from carcinogens in foods is low because if they are present at all, it is usually in very small amounts.
Carcinogens in foods may be substances that occur naturally, they may be due to contamination, or they be formed during cooking or processing (e.g. in smoked foods or foods that have been blackened during cooking e.g. barbecuing).
Aflatoxins are examples of carcinogens present in poorly stored foods. They are linked to mouldy produce, especially peanuts that are contaminated by the growth of moulds.
About the Author:
Research has shown a strong correlation between diet and cancer.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Scott MichaelsThe Essential Role Of Diet In Cancer Prevention
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