Diet Tips and Foods to Manage and Prevent Cancer
This article explores dietary strategies and medical options for cancer management. It highlights essential foods to include, such as fatty fish, green tea, and tomatoes, while advising on foods to avoid like processed meats, sugary foods, and alcohol. The piece also covers current medications and advanced therapies like CAR T-cell treatment, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and professional guidance in cancer care.
Diet Tips and Foods to Help Manage and Prevent Cancer
Cancer remains a major global health concern, characterized by rapid growth of abnormal cells in various parts of the body, such as the breast, lungs, liver, prostate, and blood. While no specific food directly causes or cures cancer, dietary choices can influence the risk and support treatment. Including certain foods and avoiding others can make a difference. Here are recommended dietary habits, medications, and treatments for cancer management.
Include: Fatty Fish Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which may help lower the risk of colorectal and prostate cancers.
Avoid: Alcohol Alcohol metabolism releases acetaldehyde, a compound linked to tumor development. Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with cancers, including breast, liver, and esophageal. Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake is highly advised.
Drink: Green Tea Packed with antioxidants like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), green tea exhibits properties that can combat cancer cells. Regular consumption may help prevent liver, lung, skin, breast, and pancreatic cancers.
Avoid: Processed Meats Preserved through smoking, salting, curing, or canning, processed meats often contain chemicals that increase the risk of colorectal and stomach cancers. Limiting intake is recommended.
Include: Tomatoes Rich in lycopene, tomatoes are effective in reducing the risk of prostate and lung cancers. Incorporate them into salads, sandwiches, sauces, or cooked dishes for health benefits.
Avoid: Sugary Foods High sugar intake promotes inflammation and is linked to increased risks of various cancers such as breast, colorectal, kidney, and pancreatic. Avoid sodas, sweets, and desserts to lower sugar consumption.
Cancer Treatments and Medications Numerous drugs are available for different cancer types, including FDA-approved options like Rubraca for ovarian and peritoneal cancers. Other key medications like Avastin, Abraxane, Revlimid, Keytruda, and Imbruvika play vital roles. Additionally, CAR T-cell therapy, which involves modifying T-cells to target cancer, is increasingly used for certain lymphomas, leukemias, and multiple myeloma.
