Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.My wife has had 10 tumors removed from her breasts. The first two and last two (1 each breast each occurrence) were benign. The six in between (four in right breast, two in left breast) were malignant. Although diagnosis of breast cancer is a devastating experience, most women face up to and cope well with it. In fact, studies show that many respond with renewed vigour and enjoyment of life and stronger interpersonal ties. But there is an inevitable period of adjustment, usually improved by knowing as much as possible about disease.
My wife was been “free of cancer” for well over 5 years, but at her last mammogram checkup they discovered a growth they could not otherwise account for and want to do another byopsy-type lump removal. This inevitably raises heady and frightening spectre of “cancer” once again. As I write, this “ectomy” is still in our future, so results and reactions are also “still in our future. We’ve been there, several times, but that won’t make a diagnosis of malignancy any easier, any less emotionally traumatic, even though “period of adjustment” is eased somewhat.
So after 8-9 years cancer free she was diagnosed in January, 2005 with another lump and it was removed in early April, 2005. Yes, it was malignant, but, in doctor’s words, it was a ‘friendly” tumor. Our “period of adjustment” has been much easier this time around.
Cancer is second leading cause of death in North America (after heart and other cardiovascular diseases) with lung cancer heading list, followed by bowel, breast, prostate, pancreas and other malignancies. Cancer prevention is therefore a top for health authorities. Of known cancer causes, smoking tobacco accounts for about a third of cases and diet is blamed for another 30-70 per cent, although relationship between food and cancer is hazier than for tobacco, and there are no pat answers.
In general, cancer risks can be diminished by avoiding tobacco use, protecting skin from ultraviolet rays, limiting alcohol intake and - according to latest evidence - by eating enough fruit and vegetables. Recent results from many studies link low intakes of fresh fruit and vegetables to high cancer rates. Some researchers claim that inadequate intakes of fruit and vegetables double risks of cancer at many sites - as well as markedly increasing risks of heart disease and cataracts. Since only about 10 per cent of North Americans eat recommended amount of fruit and vegetables, there's ample room for improvement in fighting cancer. (Very recent studies suggest that anti-inflammatories, such as ASA/Aspirin and other nonsteroidals may help to prevent some cancers.)
Diet-cancer links are complex to unravel
As foods are complex mixtures and people make wide and varied choices, it is hard to prove definite relationships between food and cancer. Much of what is known about dietary causes of cancer comes from epidemiological studies (that examine distribution and risks for disease). Epidemiological comparisons of cancer rates in different countries and how they change offer clues. When people migrate to a new country and mimic its lifestyle, they soon acquire same cancer rates as those in adopted country. For example, if Japanese people (who have low rates of breast and colon cancer but high rate so stomach cancer) move to U.S., they acquire typical American cancer rates - high colon and breast cancer rates, low risks of stomach cancer.
Studies reveal a picture of diet-cancer link in which some dietary constituents may promote certain cancers - such as fat (mainly from meat), excess energy (calorie) intake and heavy alcohol consumption - while other components, especially antioxidants in fruit and vegetables, may help to prevent cancer. Other dietary constituents that may protect against certain cancers include fatty acids in fish (the N-3 or omega-3 fatty acids) and folic acid (a B vitamin). Large studies now underway should tell us in a few years which dietary components promote or combat tumour formation.
The protective anti-cancer effects of fruit and veggies