Susan Burke MS, RD, LD/N, CDE
eDiets.com Chief Nutritionist
Cancer. It’s the diagnosis everyone dreads. But this is not a story about fear, it’s about hope. There’s hope for those diagnosed with cancer, because new techniques, treatments and medicines help people live longer. And although there’s no guarantee that lifestyle will prevent cancer, how you live, what you eat, and your daily habits can lower your risk for getting many types of cancer, even breast cancer.
Cancer is a disease that may be managed, though not usually completely cured. Although heart disease kills more Americans, cancer is a close second. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that although cancer research has improved the outlook for people already diagnosed with cancer, it remains one of our most “urgent health concerns and the disease many fear most.” More than 1.3 million new cases will be diagnosed this year, and more than a half million people will die from cancer.
Breast cancer follows lung cancer as the second most common cancer in women. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that one in every seven American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. More than 220,000 American women will develop breast cancer this year, more commonly in older (greater than age 60) women. Risk increases with a family history (grandmother, mother, sister, daughter or two other close relatives).
Overweight Increases Risk for Cancer
Let’s get down to brass tacks. If you’re having a hard time finding motivation to lose weight, then think about cancer, because the risk for cancer increases along with overweight and obesity. Overweight women have a higher risk for breast cancer, especially if they gained weight after menopause. According to the NCI, obesity and physical activity may account for up to 30 percent of postmenopausal breast cancer, as well as colon, endometrial, kidney and esophageal cancer.
From 11,000 to 18,000 deaths per year from breast cancer in American women over age 50 might be avoided if women could maintain a BMI under 25 throughout their adult lives. For example, a 5-foot-6 woman who weighs 165 pounds has a BMI of 26.6; losing 15 pounds makes the BMI about 24.2.
A study in Cancer Detection and Prevention (June 2003) reported that approximately 41,000 new cases of cancer in the U.S. were linked to obesity, and 20 percent of cancer deaths in women were due to overweight and obesity. Obesity may increase estrogen levels, which supports rapid growth of breast tumors. Before menopause, the ovaries are the primary producer of estrogen, but after menopause fat tissue becomes the primary estrogen source.
Obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes, a risk factor for gallbladder, ovarian and pancreatic cancer. The online journal Diabetes Today (September 26, 2006) reported those with type 2 diabetes were more likely to develop cancer, especially of certain organs, such as the pancreas and liver. Researchers hypothesize that type 2 diabetes produces excess insulin that may promote cancer-cell growth in the liver or pancreas.
According to the ACS, obesity is known to increase cervical, endometrial, ovary and gallbladder cancer risk in women, and colorectal and prostate cancer risk in men.
Losing weight after menopause decreases risk for breast cancer. The best advice is to avoid gaining weight to begin with, and staying at a healthy weight.
Prevention
The ACS notes that there are some risk factors you can control, some you cannot. Your age (over 50 increases risk), gender (women are 100 times more likely to get breast cancer than men), and genes (certain gene mutations increases risk by 80 percent) cannot be controlled. But other risk factors, including excess alcohol and obesity, increase risk for cancer. Your weight and your diet are two factors that are absolutely controllable. Take control.
The Best Diet
Managing your weight with healthy diet and exercise not only lowers your risk for breast cancer, but also can help prevent cancer reoccurrence.
Jennifer K. Nelson, Mayo Clinic’s director of clinical nutrition, says research supports including more fruits and vegetables in your diet daily to lower the risk for many serious diseases, including cancer. Rather than taking supplements, getting the health-providing compounds from foods means more phytonutrients, minute chemicals that are immunity-boosting and protective against cancer-causing free radicals.
“Eating a variety of plant foods -- fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds -- helps ensure that we get a variety of what Mother Nature intended for us to get," she said.
Jennifer also notes that managing your weight through diet and physical activity can "play a role in preventing breast cancer and keeping it from returning."
A study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (September 20, 2005) found that women who increase their intake of vegetables and fruits following early-stage breast cancer diagnosis had a greater rate of recurrence-free survival.
Lower your risk for cancer by managing your weight. The Mayo Clinic Plan gives you virtually unlimited vegetables and fruits, plus a variety of healthy choices from all of the food groups. More variety increases your intake of beneficial phytonutrients in different fruits and vegetables. Lose weight and improve high blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as reduce your risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.
The Mayo Clinic experts have developed this plan to help you live a longer, healthier life. Join eDiets.com and get a personalized approach to weight management, support and reliable information.
Physical Activity Lowers Cancer Risk
Moderate to vigorous regular activity reduces risk of developing colon and breast cancer, and since physical activity is a key factor in maintaining or achieving a healthy body weight, make it your business to stay active. Physical activity has beneficial effects against heart disease and diabetes too, so find something you like to do and get moving.
Your eDiets Fitness Plan is also personalized to your current level of fitness, and is modified to be more challenging as your strength and fitness increases.
Early Diagnosis
Early diagnosis means early treatment, perhaps even a cure. Monthly breast self-exams can save your life. Depending upon your individual risk factors, women should have a mammogram every year beginning at age 40. Prostate cancer will affect almost all men at some point in their life and staying at a healthy weight and activity lowers risk. Prostate is usually a slow-growing cancer, not as easily detected, and men also need a digital exam starting at age 40. Early detection means a better chance of survival. Find out more about early detection at http://www.nbcam.org/aboutBC_earlyDetection.cfm.
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