CAN YOUR DIET PREVENT CANCER?

Scientific evidence suggests that about one-third of the cancer deaths that occur in the United States each year are due to nutritional factors, including obesity. However, it is difficult to measure the real impact of diet in preventing a malignancy (cancer). While the relationship between cancer and diet is not well understood, it makes common sense to eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet of healthy food sources.

Follow these diet tips to reduce your risk of cancer:

Eat a varied diet. Eating many different foods in moderation offers the best hope for lowering cancer risk.

Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Eating fruits and vegetables protect against cancers of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.

Limit intake of high fat foods, particularly from animal sources. Choose foods low in fat. Limit consumption of meats, especially high fat meats. High fat diets have been associated with an increase in the risk of cancers of the colon and rectum, prostate, and endometrium.

Eat high-fiber foods such as whole grain foods, vegetables, fruits, and beans. Increasing fiber intake may reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Limit alcohol intake. Heavy drinking, along with the use of tobacco, either smoking cigarettes or using smokeless tobacco, increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, larynx, throat, esophagus, and liver.

Ask your healthcare provider about vitamin and mineral supplements. These can be expensive, and with a balanced diet, may not be necessary. By eating a healthy diet you may decrease your risk of cancer, while decreasing your risks of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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