Can We Prevent Cancer ?

Dr. David Collings ND

As the list of carcinogens (agents known to cause cancer) grows, we have to work harder than ever to make lifestyle, nutritional & supplement choices to prevent different forms of cancer.

I’ll start by saying that I know this can be a triggering topic as you yourself, or a loved one may be suffering and in no way am I saying that any person can cause cancer with their choices. We know each type of cancer is different and multi-factorial in it’s development. Any person can make all the right choices and still develop a terrible disease, while the next person with more carcinogen exposures will live a long healthy life cancer free.

There was a good article posted in a medical journal, the Journal of Pharmaceutical Research back in 2008, which has a lot more information than this blog post will cover, titled;

 “Cancer Is a Preventable Disease That Requires Major Lifestyle Changes” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515569/

In the digital age it is easy to become overwhelmed with information on cancer and all the different factors which can influence your health to either prevent or promote cancer growth. This blog post looks to dispel some common myths, and provide some real health tips you can incorporate into your life today to help prevent, or mitigate your risk of various cancers;

Myth #1: “Genetics are the main cause of cancer, my lifestyle cannot contribute to or prevent the development of cancer in my lifetime”

· Genetics do play a role in a person’s chances of developing, or a predisposition towards cancer. However, you can change how your genes are expressed, through epi-genetics! Epigenetic studies have shown that we can change how our inherited DNA blueprint is expressed, or which genes are turned on or off at any given time in our body (the 20,000 genes that make up each individual are not all turned on at the same time). Your DNA is not your destiny! Once thought of as the be all and end all of cancer, researches have quickly discovered that DNA is not the only factor, not even the major factor in determining a person’s chances of developing cancer.

·  A research article published in the New England Journal of Medicine (the journal most Doctors read as the most trusted research in medicine) showed that between identical twins with the same genes, the rates of developing breast cancer in a twin who’s sister also had breast cancer was only 20% . It is important to stop and think about that implication for a second. If you have 10 people with the “Bad” DNA predisposing them towards a cancer, only 2/10 will develop said cancer, with the other 80% avoiding it due to other environmental (non genetic) factors.

· So what are these environmental and lifestyle factors which can account for the 80% of people with “bad” genes that prevent & do not develop cancer?

Tip #1: Diet, load up with cancer fighting super-foods.

· There are over 25,000 different phytochemicals (naturally occurring compounds in plants) which have been identified as having potential to fight cancer through various cellular pathways .

· Eat lots of berries: blueberries, blackberries, mulberries and raspberries contain antioxidants and ellagic acid shown to block cancer growth

· Eat as many veggies as you can, strive for a minimum of 6-10 servings of vegetables a day, specifically increasing your intake of cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprout, etc. which contain cancer fighting sulfur compounds

· Try and eat a rainbow of brightly coloured vegetables as these colour compounds (carotenoids) are some of the most powerful antioxidants, consuming your veggies raw, steamed or baked is best to preserve these antioxidants (avoid excessive boiling or frying)

Myth #2: “Eating Soy and other Phytoestrogens will cause breast cancer or other hormone sensitive cancers”

· This is simply not true. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that are similar to estrogen. The research on soy has been controversial to date. First oncologists were telling women with breast cancer to avoid soy as it can worsen breast cancer, then research came out saying the opposite that soy could protect women from breast cancer, so the answer is we just don’t know.

· Soy Isoflavone supplementation has actually been linked to decreased risk of post-menopausal breast cancer .

Tip #2: Avoid these carcinogens (things known to cause cancer), in general everything in your life should be used in moderation!

· Smoking, avoid it, quit smoking- it is never too late. Smoking can Increase the risk of lung cancer in men 23x, and 13x in women!

· Avoid a diet high in red and processed meats as they can increase the risk of colorectal cancer, aim to limit red meat consumption to one serving per week, instead choosing vegetarian or lean fish proteins.

There are also some natural health products and nutritional supplements which may help mitigate Cancer risk, which you can book an appointment with me (virtual or in person), or another cancer literate Naturopathic Doctor to discuss those options while taking into account your personal & family history risk.

Can book online at:

https://allistonfamilyhealthclinic.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/1/treatment/26

or by contacting the Queens Health Centre.

Finally if you are still reading, bonus post/ food for thought:

· Stress & worry likely contributes to cancer development… It is near impossible to study this and prove it with data (as stress is so “subjective” and perceived different person to person). Many oncologists & authors have long hypothesized about the “C” type personality, or the anxiety and stress factor that seems common in those who develop cancer. Please do everything you can to prioritize your mental health & reduce stress & manage anxiety. Talk to your Naturopathic doctor about counselling or herbal & Nutritional supplements to reduce anxiety!

Dr. David Collings ND

References: 

1). A. S. Hamilton and T. M. Mack. Puberty and genetic susceptibility to breast cancer in a case-control study in twins. N. Engl. J. Med.348:2313–22 (2003) 

2)  B. B. Aggarwal, and S. Shishodia. Molecular targets of dietary agents for prevention and therapy of cancer. Biochem. Pharmacol.71:1397–1421 (2006)

3)  Boucher BA, Cotterchio M, Anderson LN, Kreiger N, Kirsh VA, Thompson LU.Use of isoflavone supplements is associated with reduced postmenopausal breast cancer risk. Int J Cancer. 2013 Mar 15;132(6):1439-50.