BENGALURU: Cancer, not only is the reason for physical stress but also emotionally and financially drains the patient and family members. But did you know avoiding some food items can help reduce the chances of encountering the disease? We often tend to ignore the nutritional aspects of the food we love so dearly, but for a healthy body this practice is inevitable. According to the American Cancer Society, up to 35 percent of all cancers may be caused due to inappropriate diet. By 2030, globally there will be 26.4 million patients with cancer every year and 17 million deaths will occur due to cancer. Lifestyle habits like occupation, habits, diet, genetic, hygiene, stress are the ones leading to cancer. Risk of developing certain types of cancer can be reduced by simply changing eating habits.
There are various chemical and components added to the food which are carcinogenic. Some of these harmful processes such as adding of chemicals and alteration of genetics, are done in the growing stage of crops, fruits and vegetables. One must keep a close watch on these food items.
Here are the list of cancer causing food items:
Microwave popcorn
The bags used to pack microwave popcorns are creased with Perfluoroalkyls, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS). This is done to prevent bag from soaking the oil. According to research done before, it has been observed that PFOA has been associated with tumours in animal organs (liver, pancreas, testicles and mammary glands in rats). Increased number of prostate cancer has been observed in PFOA plant workers.
Carbonated drinks
Soft drinks contain high fructose corn syrup, sugar, dyes, brominated vegetable oil (a flame retardant), and aspartame which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Farmed fish
Farmed fishes contain higher levels of chemical pollutants including Polychlorinated Biphenyls compared to wild fish.
GMOs
Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs are food that have been
modified and grown using chemicals. Consuming this food can lead to damaged immune systems, pre-cancerous cell growths, along with shrinking brains and livers.
Canned goods
A buyer must ensure that the cans they pick in supermarket is labelled BPA free. It’s likely to contain Bisphenol-A (BPA). Laboratory studies in cells of animals have linked BPA to cancer, infertility, diabetes, and obesity.
Refined sugar
Cancer cells thrive on sugar. Researchers have found relations between sugar and health issues such as unhealthy levels of blood fats, low HDL levels, heart disease, higher blood triglyceride levels, obesity, weak immune, arthritis and cancer.
Hydrogenated Oils
The Harvard School of Public Health notes that transfats promote immune system over-activity and inflammation and are linked to heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes.
Processed meats
Cured meats tend to be high in nitrites and nitrates, preservatives which, if consumed in large amounts, can potentially increase risk of stomach and other cancers. Some foods preserved with high concentrations of salt also are carcinogenic.
Improperly stored food grains can get infected with fungus that produce toxins that can cause cancer.
Alcohol
World Health Organization concluded that excessive alcohol use is the main cause of heart diseases and various types of cancers.
Tobacco usage
Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause cancer. Annually 6,30,000 premature deaths due to tobacco use. Tobacco usage can cause cancers of lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchus and lung.
HFCS
High-fructose corn syrup. It is the major driver of the obesity, which is a risk factor for several types of cancer. It is found in soft drinks as well as in processed food.
Artificial sweeteners
They both generally contain aspartame, which causes cancers. These food items are chemically processed and made from super refined ingredients, excessive sodium levels, along with artificial colours and flavours to
make it tasty.
Anything artificial is synthetic and can’t replace real food.
Non-organic food
These crops are grown with pesticides that have been associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Having a balanced and healthy diet helps a person stay healthy and prevent cancer. Exercise regularly and keep fit. No single food or food component can protect you against cancer by itself. But strong evidence does show that a diet filled with a variety of plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans helps lower risk for many cancers.
Foods can fight cancer both directly and indirectly. Laboratory studies, many individual minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals demonstrate anti-cancer effects. Yet evidence suggests it is the synergy of compounds working together in the overall diet that offers the strongest cancer protection.
AICR research finds that excess body fat increases the risk of 11 cancers. Vegetables and fruits are relatively low in calories. Whole grains and beans are rich in fiber, which also can help with weight management.
That is one reason AICR recommends filling at least 2/3 of your plate with plant foods. Research on foods that fight cancer – and that may also aid cancer survival – is ongoing and active.
The various lifestyle changes that we are adopting that includes decreased physical activity ,unhealthy food – leading to obesity,tobacco use, excess of carbonated drinks,alcohol excess all contribute to increasing a persons chance of being prone to cancer. The lifestyle changes can also produce mental stress which is known to depress the immune system and make the body vulnerable to various diseases including cancer.
The author is an associate professor of Medical Oncology at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology