Cancer prevention
Palmdoc in the Malaysian Medical Resources today wrote a review to highlight an article in CA, a journal of the American Cancer Society which I think is important for people to know. The article, Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention, is a good summary of what we know about risk factors and prevention strategies for cancers.
This article does a good job of making the point that cancer prevention is based on living a healthy lifestyle. The main focus is on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. A healthy diet which contains the appropriate amount of calories for the physical activity level. The diet should be rich in fibres and sparing in meat. There is an emphasis on natural sources of fibres rather than supplements.
Regular exercise is recommended to help maintain a healthy weight. Breast cancer and bowel cancer risk is reduced by keeping a physically active lifestyle. Besides the effects on weight-care, physical activity may also be working on maintaining a healthy balance of hormones in the body and improving the immunity.
For those who smoke, the single most important thing to do is to stop smoking. The evidence that smoking causes cancer is the strongest yet. Sometimes friends ask me whether this pill or that food is good for them. If they’re smoking, I would say, “Forget it. Don’t ask me about these things unless you’ve stopped smoking.” First things first.
Personally I dont buy the ‘rich in fibre’ thing. I’d rather hear a mention of a ‘balanced diet’ instead. Note that a balanced diet does not necessarily mean that carbo is always at the bottom of the pyramid (ie eaten in largest proportions). Fibre rich diet could cause allergic reactions as well as aggravate IBS syndrome
Any magic pill that able to make the die-hard smokers to stop smoking? I know “cancer” is a cruel pill that alot of times don’t give them 2nd chance. Sad huh ..
hoiling, the best way is to prevent them from starting.
Once they started smoking, all advice will fall on deaf ears.
Educate them from young: DON’T START
LM, yup. “Balanced diet” is the magic word. Carbohydrates (complex carbs, mind you) should make up 55% to 60% of the calories we take. Fibres should be varied… fruits, vege, whole-grains.
“Rich in fibres” is perhaps too general. The recommendation from the ACS is at least 5 servings of fruits and vege a day. And choose whole grains instead of processed grains. E.g. whole-wheat bread. I agree that some ppl with IBS with loose stools may get more frequent stools. But most people are not taking enough anyway… so “rich in fibres” should still be the aim for most people.
yenjai, how true!
hoiling, no magic pills for that. Quitting smoking takes a lot of will-power, determination and motivation. There are nicotine products that blunt the symptoms of withdrawal from cigarette-smoking but it’s not a replacement for self-motivation. Got any advice from smoking-cessation-providers out there?
Besides fibre, nutritions also important for diet right? Stop smoking? Yeah… I’m trying now but I still lack of self-motivation.
Kenny, nutrition means whatever we eat and drink. Fibres are a part of that… but yes, you’re right, the rest of the aspects of nutrition is important too, particularly how much energy (calories) you take.
Re: stopping smoking. You can do it, Kenny. Lots of people have kicked the habit. Do it now. There’s no better time already. C’mon Kenny, you can do it.
Kenny, think of your camera. Once you quit smoking, the money saved can easily buy you an Ixus 850 IS.
No offend intended.
yenjai.. for a moment I thought I saw ‘Lexus’ instead of Ixus.
Oh, and I read an article or blog somewhere about the health benefits of eating Mangosteens.. anybody knows what it is?
Read this on George’s Odysseys
Kenny,stop smoking.”if u think u can,u can!” recently during our Top Achievers Congress @ Genting,our co’s MD told us he was a smoker for 20 years,but….he quit smoking overnight.it’s great!Kenny, since u are trying now,sure u can do it !
Stress is also a factor which can contribute to cancer-risk?
Do you have the stats to show women in which occupation succumb to cancer most? As a teacher, I know of a few teachers who already have cancer.
Thirdly, hubby is a heavy smoker and NOTHING seems to scare him, not even CANCER! His dad died from cancer and it only scared him off for a few months,I was told….I have not met him before his dad died.
jan, i don’t think the relationship between stress and cancer has been studied well. at least i’m not aware of it. but stress can affect the immune status adversely; and poorer immune status may allow cancers to grow. so the short answer is: no evidence but there’s a possible link.
Cancer is not related to teaching. No stats regarding occupation.. but higher socio-economic status is a risk factor for breast cancer.
Cancer is the number 2 killer in Malaysia. So it’s not surprising that you see colleagues with cancer. Particularly breast and cervical cancer, since a fairly large proportion of the patients are still in their working years.
Jan, though it is not a medical statistics, but I have seen the ‘claim statistics’ from an insurance company.
For female, 85% of the claim comes from CANCER. It is rather normal then, to have a few colleague who succumb to cancer.
Thanks, bernard and yenjai for the info.
Scary to think of the 85 per cent insurance claims. This is one of my insurance claims I can do without
A thought just occurred to me.To you guys and gals out there, let me know what you think. Let’s say I am stricken with cancer ( given a death sentence of a year or so or mayb not) I am thinking that I should just make my insurance claim and then divide it among loved ones and wait for the day to arrive…is this a selfish attitude?
Err… you mean you leave no money for your own treatment?
Early stages cancers usually respond pretty well to treatment
Yeah, I mean that. Rather than draining the monetary resources in the quest to cure something or just to prolong life for a little while more, keep the money reserves for the the living who need the money!
jan, i would say that it’s a “selfless” attitude rather than a “selfish” attitude.
The treatment of early cancer can be quite satisfying. For example early breast cancer needs surgery and probably chemotherapy/radiotherapy/hormonal therapy. Many patients beat their cancer. After treatment, the patient can get back to work or normal function in the family. I think the value of having a loved one back is greater than the money to be saved.
The treatment of early cancer needs not be expensive. The greatest cost of treatment is probably in the more expensive “latest” chemotherapy drugs that will need to be used when cancer is more advanced or “first-line” chemotherapy drugs are not effective.
The treatment of cancer also does not need to be expensive because patients have the choice of seeking treatment in a public hospital where almost all the costs are absorbed by the government. Anyone who cannot afford to pay comfortably for their treatment in a private should not hesitate go to a public hospital where equally effective treatment will be provided.
Also, the patient and the doctor should be clear about the aims of the treatment. Is the treatment meant for “cure” or “palliation”? What are the aims when it comes to “palliation”? Once these are discussed honestly, the patient has the right to decide what she/he wants.
I must add that palliative care is as important as curative care. It is not just prolonging life. The dignity, comfort, and even function (sometimes possible) of a person during treatment of advanced cancer can be well preserved if treated well. The discussion should be frank and if the patient is to make a well-informed decision.
If there is a worthwhile aim to be achieved but the patient cannot afford it, it is always right to ask, “Is there a less costly alternative?”
The short answer to your question, jan, is it is not alright to give up unless the patient has had a frank discussion with the doctor and the cost of alternatives explored.