October is breast cancer awareness month, so I thought I would spend this month diving into understanding cancer.
Cancer is a term used to represent over 100 chronic diseases. Damage to our cells’ DNA can cause them to divide uncontrollably creating a mass known as a tumor. These cells can spread to other parts of the body and can pull vital nutrients away from our organs, thereby affecting their function.
Cancer was the 2nd leading cause of death worldwide in 2018 resulting in over 9 million deaths. It can affect many parts of the body, with the most common types being breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer. Although it can occur at any age, cancer predominantly affects those over 50.
Cancer Prevention: Screening
Regular screening tests are an important part of cancer prevention and management. Screening recommendations are dependent on individual risk, age, gender, and population group.
In addition to helping find certain types of cancer before symptoms appear, screening tests can also reassure you about your health status, help prevent cancer, detect cancer early and before it has spread when treatment is easier, reduce treatment severity and recovery time, and improve survivability.
In Canada, there are screening programs to help find breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer. Women between 50-69 years should have a mammogram every two years. Adults between 50-74 years should have a stool test every two years. Women that are sexually active or over the age of 21 should have a Pap test every three years.
Talk to your doctor to find out which screening tests are right for you and when to do them.
Caner Prevention: Lifestyle
In addition to screening tests, there are a number of lifestyle modifications that can reduce your cancer risk.
Quit smoking: Cigarette smoke contains carginogenic chemicals that can damage your DNA
Be sun safe: Exposure to the sun’s UV rays even on cloudy days can cause DNA damage and increase your risk of developing skin cancer
Have a healthy body weight: Abdominal fat is metabolically active and can signal other cells to divide
Exercise regularly: Aim to be physically active for 30 minutes every day to promote physical and emotional health and help maintain a healthy body weight
Limit alcohol: Alcohol consumption increases the risk of many types of cancer. Aim to have less than 1 drink per day for women and less than 2 drinks per day for men.
Eat well: Eat a well-balanced diet with a focus on antioxidant-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables since they are protective against DNA damage. Limit the consumption of processed and convenience foods as they can be high in salt and sugar which can increase your risk of certain types of cancer.
Nutritional Management
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer then you are probably aware that the side effects from medications, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or other cancer treatments can affect your desire or ability to eat.
Unintended weight loss is often of concern for cancer patients. In order to help maintain your weight and repair tissues that may have been damaged during treatments, high energy and high protein foods are suggested.
Other recommendations include eating the biggest meal when your appetite is the best, including several high energy and high protein snacks throughout the day, and drinking liquids that give energy such as nutritional supplements or smoothies.
Speak to a dietitian to get examples of nutrient-dense foods and how to incorporate them into your diet when your appetite is low.
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