Tuesday 7 November 2017

29. Diet and Colorectal Cancer Prevention





Diet and Colorectal Cancer Prevention

     Research shows that diet and exercise provide powerful protection against colorectal cancer according to a recent report by the American Institute of Cancer Research and the Scotland-based Worldwide Cancer Research.
     “This report demonstrates that there is a lot people can do to dramatically lower their risk" says Edward L Giovannucci, Professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
      The report shows a clear relationship between eating whole grains daily and a reduction in colorectal cancer risk. The more you eat, the lower the risk. Eating three servings a day reduces the risk by a remarkable 17 percent; a useful addition to a 'Stop Cancer' diet!
   Evidence confirms the known fact that overweight and obesity adds noticeably to the risk not only to colorectal cancer but also to a plethora of other cancers, as does the lack of regular exercise.
     The report points to emerging evidence that a diet with fish, and fruit and non-starchy vegetables high in vitamin C help to provide cancer prevention. However it strengthens the link between colorectal cancer and over-consumption of red or processed meats.“
      As research continues to emerge for these factors, it all points to the power of a plant-based diet, says Alice Bender, AICR Director of Nutrition Programs.
     “Replacing some of your refined grains with whole grains and eating mostly plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables and beans, will give you a diet packed with cancer-protective compounds and help you manage your weight, which is so important to lower risk. 
     “When it comes to cancer there are no guarantees, but it’s clear now there are choices you can make and steps you can take to lower your risk of colorectal and other cancers,” she points out.

Ian MacWatt

Further Reading
     AICR eNews New colorectal cancer report
     AICR  Foods That Fight Cancer
     Diet and Lifestyle with CCT   Cancer Prevention through Diet

Sunday 5 November 2017

28. Stomach Drugs, Cancer and Lifestyle






Stomach Drugs, Cancer and Lifestyle

    
     An association between proton pump inhibitor drugs, (PPIs) and stomach cancer has finally been positively identified. A study by the University of Hong Kong and University College London published in Gut, a leading international journal in gastroenterology and herpetology, has shown that long term use of PPIs presents a 2.4 times higher risk of developing stomach cancer.
     A link between PPIs and a higher stomach cancer risk has previously been identified by academics – but never in a study that first eliminates Helicobacter pylori (HP), a bacterium suspected of fuelling the illness’s development.
    The PPI study found that after HP was removed, the risk of developing the disease still rose in line with the dose and duration of PPI treatment.  However patients on H2 blockers, another class of drugs that are prescribed to reduce stomach acid production, had no increase in cancer prevalence compared to those on PPIs.  
     More than 50m prescriptions for PPIs are handed out every year in UK for stomach ulcers and their causes. PPIs are also prescribed for acid reflux causing heartburn and inflammation of the gullet, (which can itself lead to oesophageal cancer).
    As always, prevention is better than cure. Acid reflux and consequent heartburn and inflammation of the gullet, can be caused by obesity, smoking or alcohol excess. Any of these can lead to a number of life-threatening cancers. Combined together, obesity, tobacco and alcohol excess are a lethal cocktail that will certainly ensure a shortened life, if not from one of a number of consequent cancers such as cancer of the colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, gullet or postmenopausal breast.

Ian MacWatt

Further Reading

Gut MBJ   PPIs and gastric cancer risk study

Patient Platform Proton Pump Inhibitors

Healthline  H2 Blockers

National Cancer Institute   Obesity and Cancer

New England Journal ofMedicine  Body Fatness and Cancer

NHS Choice  Indigestion