HOW TO PREVENT CANCER

What we eat and drink, where we live and work, and what we breathe may well determine whether we become a cancer statistic. Medical science continues to make strides toward earlier detection and improved treatments for many cancers. But, in many cases, they detect the disease after it happens. The sad truth is that the overall death rates for many cancers continue to rise. For example, one in four American lives are now being claimed by cancer. This trend, however, could be reversed, if we would simply take the precautions that we already know about. Only a very small percentage of people in the general population have abnormal copies of genes. Cancers caused by these genes, known as familial cancers, account for only two percent to five percent of all cancers. In contrast, evidence of the connection between cancer and such dietary factors as fiber and fat is growing stronger and stronger every day. Compared with diets at the turn of the century, the average Westerner now eats thirty-six percent more fat, and one-third less fiber. In areas around the world where fat intake is low and fiber consumption is high, there is a negligible incidence of the more common cancers such as colon, breast, and prostate cancers. In countries such as the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, where diets are low in fiber and high in fat, rates for these kinds of cancers are much higher. 

How can things such as fiber and fat influence cancer?

Not all the questions are explained yet, but cancer is associated with carcinogens – chemical irritants that can produce cancerous lesions over time. Bile acids are an example. The amount of fat in the diet affects the amount of bile the body produces. In the intestinal tract, some of these bile acids can form irritating carcinogenic compounds. The longer these compounds stay in contact with the lining of the colon the more irritation results. This is where fiber comes in. With a low fiber diet, digestive material moves slowly through the intestines, often taking from seventy-two hours to seven days (transit time) to complete the journey from entry to exit. Fiber absorbs water like a sponge. This helps fill the intestines and stimulates them to increased activity. With a high-fiber diet our food travels through the intestines in twenty-four to thirty-six hours. This helps the colon in two ways. It shortens the exposure to irritating substances, and it dilutes the concentration of the irritants, because of fiber’s water-holding ability and insulating effect.

Could racial or cultural variations, rather than diet, account for these differences?

Researchers have asked the same question. They have found, for example, that Japanese living in villages and rural areas have very few of these cancers. Their traditional fiber consumption is high, and fat intake averages only 15 percent to 20 percent of the diet; half as much fat as Americans. But when Japanese migrate to America and other Westernized countries, and adopt Western eating habits and lifestyles, their rate for these cancers increase dramatically and soon becomes equal with those for Westerners. 

What about other cancers?

A high fat intake depresses the activity of important cells in the body’s immune system. This effect has been studied extensively relating to breast cancer and is believed to affect other types of cancers as well. A weakened immune system literally opens doors for many types of cancer to invade the body.

Alcohol is another important risk factor for cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer of the liver, the esophagus and pancreas, and does so dramatically for those who smoke as well. Even moderate use of as little as three drinks a week may increase the risk, especially for women. Twelve percent of cancers are directly related to alcohol use.  And this figure does not include the 50 percent rate of auto accident fatalities caused by drunk drivers each year. Another consideration is the havoc wreaked on individuals and families by alcohol use.

Skin cancers are increasing worldwide, and have been related to sunlight. Sunshine, in moderation, promotes health and strengthens the immune system. Excessive sun exposure, however, can produce two relatively harmless types of skin cancer – basal cell and squamous cell cancers. These grow slowly, and are usually discovered and removed before they have a chance to spread. Melanoma is another story. This is the “black mole” cancer that spreads very quickly to other parts of the body. When it spreads, this cancer has a high fatality rate. If discovered early and completely removed, a near 100% cure can follow. Melanomas are believed to result from repeated sunburns. Protection of the skin from burning is extremely important. This may be accomplished through wearing protective clothing, minimizing exposure outside during the strongest sunlight of the day (10:00 am to 3:00 pm), and wearing sunscreen. It is true that excess or too much sunshine can be a cause of cancer but moderate sun-bathing can also be lifesaving and helpful for people who live with cancer. Moderate sun exposure in fighting cancer has lots of benefits. Sunlight increases the production of lymphocytes. The lymphocytes are cells in the immune system, which are also capable of producing a substance called interferon, which is effective against several different kinds of cancer including carcinoma, sarcoma, and leukemia. This fact spurred the American Cancer Society to spend 2 million dollars to purchase interferon from Finland for experimental use. Dr. Hans Strander of Finland discovered that he could give interferon to terminal bone cancer patients and double the number of long-term, disease-free survivors. The lymphocytes in our own bodies manufacture this wonderful interferon that can help so dramatically in cancer and viral infections. Because the sunlight is a great stimulus for increased lymphocyte production, it increases the production of interferon. Sunlight also generates vitamin D in our body.Vitamin D is told to prevent and help correct cancer. In addition, sunlight destroys bilirubin. Bilirubin is a chemical that may reach to a high level in persons with pancreatic cancer. To the sick it is worth more than silver and gold to lie in the sunshine or in the shade of the trees.

Inactivity also appears to relate to cancer. There are over 100 kinds of cancer, so it’s hard to make a statement that covers them all. However, so far researchers have found that those who log at least four hours of exercise a week cut their risk of breast and colon cancer by more than a third. Excess weight raises the risk of cancer. Obesity is spreading like an epidemic around the world, especially in countries where fast foods are introduced. A healthy plant-based diet and regular exercise will do a great deal to prevent this problem. Since we all have to eat, the hardest lifestyle change for most people is in the realm of diet. The American Cancer Society recommends the following for maximizing a cancer-prevention diet. Choose most foods you eat from plant sources. People who eat largely of fruits, grains, and vegetables have the lowest rates of cancer, 50% less than those who regularly eat meat, but few fruits and vegetables. The Cancer Society says this: “Many scientific studies show that eating fruits and vegetables protect against cancers.” They mention “especially green and dark yellow vegetables and those in the cabbage family, soy products, and legumes.” Limit your intake of high fat foods, particularly from animal sources. The American Cancer Society warns, “High fat diets have been associated with an increase in the risk of cancer.” But are all fats bad? Nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados contain healthy plant fats. When possible, choose plant sources of fat. “Consumption of meat, especially red meat, has been associated with increased cancer risk.” Those who fill up on hamburgers, French fries, doughnuts, sodas, and potato chips lose out on the cancer-fighting substances found in fruits and vegetables. 

Don’t neglect your health. 

Participate in screening examinations. Early detection and treatment offer much higher survival rates, and may be lifesaving. Just four lifestyle factors –no smoking, no alcohol, a high-fiber, low-fat plant-food diet, and normal weight –could prevent close to 80 percent of cancers found in Western society today. Instead of one in four dying of cancer, the risk could be reduced to one in twenty. It’s not an impossible dream.

What can we offer at Migdalia Lifestyle Center?

1. Delicious, healthy and palatable plant based diet.
2. Diet rich in antioxidants and juicing to help combat the disease.
3. Practical cooking classes
4. Exercise and helpful activities to boost the immune system.
5. Hydrotherapies to stimulate immune cells in fighting back the cancer cells.
6. Herbal drinks that support the immune system and fight cancer cells.
7. Presentation of health lectures.
8. Comfort to our clients.

In addition to the cancer, we will take care on your secondary disorders, such as:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart problems
• Overweight
• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Allergies
• Elevated blood fat levels
• Back pain