Alternative Cancer Treatment - Relation between Diet and Cancer

May 13, 2008

by Meng Y

No other sector of oncology is considered more controversial and complex than the relationship between cancer and one’s diet. Everyone wants to believe that there is some miracle diet which can dramatically affect the likelihood of cancer, or better yet, a diet that can actually cure cancer once it has been contracted. But as of right now, there is no conclusive evidence of the effect diet can have on cancer.

All reputable sources agree that no diet outright cures cancer. Nor is there strong evidence to support the view that any particular diet prevents contracting it. But there are many studies that suggest that occurrence, recurrence and survivability may be affected by the foods we choose.

Though far from positive, man studies have been examined by researchers at Cornell University. These studies have been linked to lower death rates, an increased survivability rate by five or ten years based on certain dietary decisions.

In one study examined (the Nurses Health Study), 1,982 women who had already developed breast cancer were followed for an average of 13 years. Over 1,200 had cancers that had not metastasized (spreading of a primary tumor to other areas producing secondary tumors of the same type). Survival rates of cancer patients whose disease has spread are known to be much lower (21% five-year survival, as contrasted to 86% for those whose cancer has not metastasized).

Some individuals in the first group ate greater amounts of poultry and seafood, which contains protein and omega-3 fatty acids. These individuals had a much lower risk of death than the women in the second group who did not consume as much. In addition, it was discovered that women who ate a greater amount of hydrogenated oils had a much higher death rate.

Additionally, another study which was conducted by the National Cancer Institute observed 2,400 individuals. Of those individuals 975 women who had contracted breast cancer were asked to consume a low fat diet (33.3g per day) for a period of five years. Another 1,462 women consumed 51.3 g of fat per day. The group consuming less fat experienced a 42% reduction in the recurrence rate.

The draw back to all of these studies is that they merely observe observations, not causation. It is unclear from the data what is actually relevant and what isn’t. Do these dietary choices only show that women who focus on keeping a healthy diet also make healthier lifestyle choices overall? Or do the foods that these women consume actually help or harm them and to what degree?

As with many studies that involve fruits and vegetables the answer remains unclear. Aside from those foods which contain antioxidants, and effects deemed beneficial are not done so with confidence. In this case however, the evidence is strong. Foods high in antioxidants can and do aid in reducing the chances of contracting breast cancer.

Free radicals within one’s blood stream are ionized atoms that are capable of harming cells. Antioxidants assist in ridding the body of these atoms. They combine with the free radicals causing them to be rendered harmless.

Fat studies, however, are less clear. The leading theory states that since high estrogen levels are known to highly correlate with a greater risk of breast caner, and since fat efficiently stores estrogen, then reducing your fat intake lowers the risk.

Some individuals believe that eating fat will make you fat, this conclusion is flawed. Consuming fat doesn’t necessarily cause a higher body fat content. Rather, eating more calories than one expends can cause the body to store excess fat. This causes the body to have a higher body fat percentage. Fat also contains more calories per unit weight than other foods. The route is not direct.

Despite difficult to interpret or incomplete evidence, there is one thing all experts can readily agree on: maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle are wise choices. Whether they lower the risk of contracting breast cancer or not, for the 1 in 12 women who will get it sometime in their life, being in optimal health helps combat it before, during and after.

About the Author:

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