Cancer Prevention

Cancer is a group of diseases caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells. The following is a list of recommendations for steps to take to avoid cancer. It is adapted from a list found on the websites of the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund. This list was compiled from extensive research analyzation performed by scientists from these two foundations. Keep in mind that these suggestions are generalized, and each person has individual requirements for health. Therefore, you should see an anti-aging specialist and have your vitamins levels measured to determine a plan that will work specifically for you.

• Keep your weight at a healthy level for your height
• Get daily exercise
• Limit consumption of food and drinks high in sugar, low in fiber, and high in fat
• Increase consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans
• Avoid both red and processed meats
• Don’t eat too much salt
• Keep alcohol intake to a minimum. Men should have no more than two drinks daily; women should have no more than one drink daily
• Avoid both smoking and chewing tobacco
• Mothers should breastfeed babies for six months after giving birth
• Cancer survivors should keep their weight at a healthy level to lessen the chance of the cancer’s return

In addition to the above recommendations, the following foods were named by the National Foundation for Cancer Research as the “Top 10 Cancer Fighting Foods”. Included after each food is the cancer-fighting agents it contains.

• Acorn squash (contain beta-carotene)
• Apples (contain phytochemicals)
• Berries (contain fiber, vitamin C, phytochemicals, potassium, and vitamin B9 and are antioxidants)
• Extra virgin olive oil (contains phytochemicals with antioxidants and vitamin E)
• Pumpkins (contain beta carotene)
• Mineral, seltzer, or spring water, as well as decaffeinated tea (all of which help with digestion and other bodily functions)
• Peppers (contain potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B9)
• Sweet potatoes (contain beta carotene)
• Tomatoes and tomato-based products (contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant)