4 Factors that Promote Cancer

Cancer is a daily topic of conversation in the media, the medical community, and in every day life. Statistics confirm that “1 in 5 men and 1 in 6 women worldwide develop some type of cancer during their lifetime.” (1)

Thanks to innovations in science in early detection and advanced treatments, many patients have their cancer in remission and live longer than ever before. But treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy have consequences that can lead to debilitating consequences (incontinence, lymphedema, sexual dysfunction, food allergies, organ removal, etc.)

The best treatment against any disease is prevention. Reducing exposure to environmental toxins, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and managing stress can significantly decrease the risk.

What Is Cancer

Cancer is a change in cellular structure and activity. Cells that are supposed to shut down continue growing rapidly, invading other tissues. This usually happens when there is a disturbance in the equilibrium between free radicals (FR), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms. When oxidants increase to levels that overwhelm our internal defense systems, our bodies become an oxidative environment where cancer and other diseases can thrive.

Oxidative stress is a byproduct of biological activity in the body. Our bodies generate free radicals as a result of cellular respiration. Under normal healthy conditions, our cells are equipped with enzymes that control oxidation and maintain homeostasis between oxidant and antioxidant species. To do so, they use endogenous antioxidants such as glutathione, alpha lipoic acid, and exogenous antioxidants, namely vitamin C and E. But when oxidative stress is too high and uses up all antioxidants before they have time to regenerate, normal functions are compromised and the body becomes vulnerable to disease. Ongoing oxidative stress injures cellular components like DNA, membrane lipids (the protective fat barrier), and proteins, leading to cellular dysfunction or death.

Oxidative stress is responsible for many changes in our physiology that lead to diseases such as fibromyalgia, digestive disturbance, chronic fatigue, brain fog, and even autoimmune disease. Unfortunately, sometimes cancer just happens, even in the healthiest people. But the more we control oxidation, the more we reduce risk.

My very first patient, Terry, was a lady on a SAD diet (Standard American Diet). She ate turkey sandwiches for breakfast. Lunch and dinner, she ate at restaurants with her husband and 2 sons. Her diet was high in fat, protein, and tons of preservatives. It was poor in fiber and essential nutrients.

I told her what changes she needed to make and as part of the nutrition program, she would send me her food journal daily, so I can provide her with feedback. Since this was my first client and I wanted to get some experience and test my methods, I offered a 12-week program to Terry at no charge. She turned me down for the following reasons:

• I don’t want to report to someone everything I put in my mouth
• I hate cooking
• You’re proselytizing. This is in reference to my recommendation to cut out dairy and eliminate deli meats

Four years later, Terry developed breast cancer in both breasts and had them removed, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. It’s hard to determine if her diet was to blame, but it’s definitely a contributing factor.

So what causes cancer, exactly? Truth is, scientists still don’t know. It isn’t one thing, nor is it one threat we can we can eliminate. What is certain are the triggers and contributing factors. The list below is by no means a comprehensive cancer prevention guide, but it’s a starting point.

1. Genetics
Some people inherit gene mutations that make them more sensitive to cancer. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are known to cause breast cancer in women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. The TP53 gene mutation, present in 50% of people worldwide, is responsible for ovarian, breast, liver, and colorectal cancers. These mutations induce changes in the way genes control cell growth and DNA repair. However, genes can be turned on and off, and this is where diet and a healthy lifestyle can play a role in delaying or preventing cancer.

2. Lifestyle choices (diet, smoking, alcohol, stress)
This is definitely one area we have control over. Avoid smoking, drink alcohol in moderation, live a low-stress life (not always easy), and adopting a diet rich in antioxidants, fiber, and low in saturated and ultra-processed food. You may read a previous article on this blog about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

3. Obesity
The link between obesity and cancer is now well-established, particularly breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. How does excess weight lead to cancer, you may ask? Accumulation of fat in the body produces prostaglandins, immune system cells that regulate inflammation. While these lipid compounds can defend us against inflammation, produced regularly, they damage cells and expose their DNA to changes that lead to carcinogenesis.

Obesity stimulates a higher release of estrogen. Excess estrogen can cause breast, endometrial, and ovarian tumors.

Visceral fat, the fat surrounding the organs in the abdominal cavity, produces hormones and inflammation compounds that damage other cells and destabilize DNA. “Chronic inflammation is a cornerstone in both obesity and tumorigenesis… Adipose tissue macrophages (ATM)] within WAT [82]. Both M1 and M2 infiltrating macrophages are present in fat: M2 macrophages display anti-inflammatory properties, whereas M1 macrophages enhance inflammation. Diet-induced obesity leads to a shift from a M2-polarized state to a M1 proinflammatory state, thus highlighting once more the close association between accumulation of fat and inflammation.” (2)

4. Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is like an ongoing fire alternating between high and low flames. The immune system is in a permanent active state and spends all your resources on trying to extinguish the fire and by doing so, damages tissues and organs. Over time, the immune system becomes exhausted and can no longer perform its primary function, which is to defend the body against disease.

But more importantly, when the immune system is activated, it generates a lot of free radicals, which are the primary cause of chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. “…most cancers, once established, form a two-way relationship with chronic inflammation. Tumors actively reshape their surrounding environment—known as the tumor microenvironment (TME)—in ways that sustain chronic inflammation. This, in turn, weakens immune defenses, fuels tumor growth, and protects cancer cells from discussion [detection.] One of the world’s leading cancer immunologists, Dr. Lisa Coussens, says, ‘The microenvironment of a tumor is often shaped by long-standing inflammation that turns protective immune mechanisms into harmful ones.’ “(3)

In this revolving door, inflammation and carcinogenicity reinforce each other and the body’s resources designed for repair and healing are diverted to nourish cancer cells.

How to Prevent Cancer

Although it cannot be cured by nutrition, food can certainly help prevent it or delay its recurrence. Eliminating  inflammation and lose excess weight are an excellent starting point. Below are a few ideas to get you started.

Simple Tips for Cancer Prevention

• Remove all saturated fats from your diet, that includes dairy products, deli meats, eggs, and butter
• Avoid processed food. Read food labels and don’t purchase food with additives, particularly those you don’t understand or can’t even read.
• Eat at least 2 cups of greens every day
• Ensure your plate has non-starchy vegetables at every meal
• In the upcoming article, I will do a deep dive into sugar and its impact on disease development. Sugar by itself is not a carcinogen, but it contributes to weight gain, which in turn leads to inflammation, which creates a favorable environment for tumor growth.
• Get plenty of sleep
• Reduce stress
• Do things that bring you joy: vacation, hobbies, family time, volunteer work, and connecting with friends. This self-care cannot be underestimated, as it contributes to well-being. Feeling good is the best antidote to stress.

Anti-inflammatory Guide

Download my Anti-Inflammatory guide to help you make changes to your diet. Every step counts. Anything you put in your mouth will affect your health. There is a Chinese proverb that says “health begins in the mouth.” An ancient Turkish adage makes a stronger recommendation “Don’t dig your grave with your teeth.”

If you need a nutrition plan, recommendations, or have a nutritionist review your diet, click on the CONTACT button to send me a message and we will take it from there. Don’t do it alone. Don’t deprive yourself of delicious food. Healthy eating should be delicious, easy, and fun and always delivers.

Citations

1. Harvard . Preventing Cancer

2. NIH – Visceral Adiposity and Cancer: Role in Pathogenesis and Prognosis

3. Hope for Cancer – Put Out the Fire: How Chronic Inflammation Fuels Cancer and Other Chronic Disease[s]