Over 40 percent
of all cancer can be prevented and some of the most common cancers – including
breast, colorectal and cervical – are curable if detected early.
According to WHO, 84 million people will die
in the next 10 years if action is not taken. About 70 percent of all cancer
deaths occur in low- to- middle-income countries and are projected to continue
to rise.
Cancer is Largely Avoidable
Cancer
prevention is an essential component in the fight against cancer. Unfortunately,
many cost-effective prevention measures such as anti-tobacco campaigns and
comprehensive diet and exercise strategies have yet to be widely implemented in
many countries.
“Every country,
regardless of resource level, can confidently take steps to curb the cancer
epidemic”, says Dr. Andreas Ullrich, a WHO cancer control medical officer
within the Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion.
Improved
lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, stress management and avoidance
of tobacco and alcohol are universally important. Even if cancer cannot be
prevented, lifestyle modification will help late-stage cancer. Pain can be reduced, progression of the cancer
slowed and longevity improved.
Cancer Silently Develops
Experts agree
that prevention offers the most cost-effective, long-term strategy for the
control of cancer. One of the primary problems is that cancer commonly develops
silently over time. By the time you’re aware you have cancer -- it’s typically
too late.
A recent 2012 study
investigated the link between weight and the recurrence of breast cancer. Among
women who have been successfully treated, heavier women are more likely to have
the condition come back and less likely to survive the disease.
In the study of approximately
5,000 women treated for breast cancer, about two-thirds had weight-related
problems. Forty percent of the women had breast cancer recurrence over the
study period, and 69 percent were more likely to die from the condition or
complications.
It is very
common for an individual to never address or correct the underlying reason they
developed cancer in the first place. Cancer commonly recurs when weight and other
lifestyle factors have not been properly addressed, thus increasing the risk of
death.
The Cancer Lifestyle
It may be common
sense that sitting on the couch, eating highly processed food and engaging in
little-to-no physical activity will make you sick – but what are we doing about
it?
Coincidently,
poor lifestyle indicators such as diet, physical activity, smoking, drinking alcohol
and stress play a significant role in creating hormonal imbalance. Hormonal
imbalance is linked to weight gain, the inability to lose weight and the
development of many cancers –including breast cancer.
The Insulin-Estrogen Connection
Excess weight is
also closely related to the development of diabetes. Diabetes is a form of hormonal imbalance, as
the body is no longer able to utilize the hormone insulin. The most common treatments
for diabetes are insulin medications and injections.
Insulin and
insulin-like hormones have been found to stimulate the growth of breast cancer
cells. Diabetic women carrying extra fat—especially around the waistline—have
been shown to produce more estrogen. Two-thirds of breast cancers are related
to specific estrogen receptor-positive cancer.
Preventing Cancer Naturally
Lifestyle is
linked to nearly every health condition. Individuals who are overweight also
suffer higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure.
One can significantly reduce their risk of developing a condition but also
effectively treat established conditions by improving their lifestyle.
The following are different ways that obesity is linked to cancer:
• Extra fat tissue produces excess
estrogen. High levels of estrogen have been linked with breast and other
reproductive cancers.
• Individuals who are overweight
typically have increased levels of blood sugar and altered levels of insulin. Insulin
and similar hormones have been found to promote tumor growth.
• One of the contributing factors to
obesity and weight loss resistance is inflammation. Lifestyle factors such as
nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress will play a significant role in
developing or curbing inflammation throughout the body. Increased levels of
inflammation have been linked to cancer.
Physical Activity Reduces Cancer
Up to one in six
deaths can be linked to physical inactivity, according to a recent study
published in The Lancet. Dr. I-Min Lee, the lead researcher from Harvard
Medical School said “Only about one quarter of the world’s population smoke,
but about two-thirds are inactive.”
It is
recommended to exercise daily. The easiest form of exercise is to go for a 15
-30 minute walk. It will safely increase heart rate, reduce inflammation,
balance hormones and increase oxygen consumption in your body – all of which
help in fighting cancer.
Don’t Smoke
Cigarette
smoking is still very common despite the known hazards to one’s health. There
is a direct relationship between the amount of cigarettes smoked per day and
the risk of developing cancer.
According to the
World Health Organization, tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk
factor for cancer mortality worldwide, causing an estimated 22 percent of
cancer deaths per year.
Diet & Cancer Linked
What you eat—and
don’t eat—has a powerful effect on your health, including your risk of cancer.
Without knowing it, you may be eating many foods that fuel cancer, while
neglecting the powerful foods and nutrients that can protect you. If you change
your diet and behaviors, you can minimize your risk of cancer.
• Don’t drink alcohol while trying
to lose weight. You will be able to make healthier choices and reduce the
cravings that contribute to weight gain.
• Eat more vegetables. Vegetables
have significant amounts of cancer-fighting antioxidants.
• Reduce and eliminate sugars. Processed
sugars are the leading cause of weight gain, diabetes and eventual cancer risk.
• Processed foods contain
significant amounts of preservatives and artificial colorings. These items can
be classified as toxins and toxins are stored in fatty tissue. These toxins are
a leading cause of weight loss resistance and obesity.
• Animals and meat products can be
exposed to environmental toxins and even fed toxic foods. Consuming products
made from animals raised in toxic environment will, in turn, greatly increase
our toxic exposure.
It Starts With You
Lifestyle
modification does take concentrated effort to think about ways you can improve
your daily choices. Daily choices are exactly that – choices. Every country,
regardless of resource level, can take proactive steps to curb the cancer
epidemic – it starts with you.
Don’t wait until
you have cancer to rely on early detection techniques. Commit to improve your
diet, implement an exercise regimen and become conscious of the toxins around
you that contribute to weight gain, cancer risk and overall life expectancy.
Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
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