Cancer Prevention

In general terms many cancers we can minimize the risk of many cancers by adopting a healthy lifestyle and good diet from a young age. Many other cancers can be prevented or detected in a very early stage by having regular checks, especially if you have a family history or other risk factors:

Suggestions for minimizing cancer risk:

Don't Smoke. Smoking not only causes lung cancer and throat cancer but increases the risk of bowel, bladder and many other cancers.

Eat a healthy diet. A good cancer prevention diet should be:
- High in fresh fruit and vegetables - at least five serves per day and the more colourful the better. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussel sprouts contain I-3-C (Indole 3 Carbinol) which protects against cancers especially of the prostate and possibly breast. Lycopene in cooked tomato products protect against prostate cancer. Orange coloured foods such as peaches, mangoes & apricots protect against macular degeneration of the eye, carrots are good for night vision.
- High in soy products - supplement with soy tablets. Genistein in soy products may protect against many cancers
- Drink Green Tea and supplement with green tea extract tablets .Green tea protects against many cancers.
- Drink water - preferably 2 litres a day
- Supplement with Selenium 100-200 mcg/daily. Selenium protects against prostate and other cancers. The best dietary source of Selenium is Brazil nuts.
- Supplement with Boron 6mg/day. Boron helps prevent arthritis and some cancers.
- Supplement with magnesium - A Swedish study published Jan 2005 indicated patents who had the most magnesium in their diet had a 41% lower risk of colorectal cancer.
- Eat tumeric - (Curcuma longa) - regularly (or supplement) - this may help protect against most cancers of the digestive tract. Also helps osteoarthritis & is available as a supplement.
- Eat Ginger (Zingaber officionale). Again protects against some cancers and arthritis.
- High in fibre, bran, psyllium husks, grains and again fresh fruit and vegetables and nuts. High fibre diets reduce constipation, bowel cancer and diverticulitis as well as reducing cholesterol.
- Low in saturated and polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturates such as olive oil and canola, plus Omega 3 & 9 fatty acids found in oily deep sea fish, nuts, flaxseed and linseed are protective.
- Low in carbohydrates - always go for carbs with a lower glycaemic index.
- Minimise processed foods especially those containing artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives. Avoid too much refined flour, caffeine and sugar, and trans fatty acids found in margarine and shortening. Avoid Omega 6 fatty acids in cooking oils and margarines which can increase arthritis and inflammation.
- Minimize alcohol, for adults 1-2 glasses of (preferably red) wine a day may have health benefits, although latest research indicates this may be because moderate drinkers have a better overall diet than others. It is wise to have at least 2 AFD's ( Alcohol free days) per week.
- Contain adequate minerals - the minerals most likely to be lacking in an Australian diet are Iron (especially for women), Boron, Calcium , Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium.
- High in antioxidants especially Vitamins C, E (Natural rather than synthetic with the gamma as well as the alpha tociferols) and Vitamin A. Remember Vitamin A may be toxic above 2500IU daily.
Interestingly this diet is also very good for preventing arthritis and heart disease!!

See adjuvant cancer treatment page for supplements and diets for specific cancers including breast and prostate cancers

Have regular Health checks for common cancers & if you have family history:
- Women over 18 are at risk of HPV and Cancer of the Cervix & should have 2nd yearly PAP Smears & Thinpreps till the age of 70.
- Breast Cancer Risk Calculator. Women should have conduct regular breast self examination & have annual breast checks and women over 50 should have 2nd yearly mammograms as well. Women with a family history of breast cancer should have more frequent checks.
- Men over the age of 50 should have yearly checks for prostate cancer with an annual rectal examination and 2nd yearly PSA blood tests.
- Bowel Cancer Risk Factors. Men and women over the age 50 should have an an annual stool test for occult blood to check for bowel cancer. These are available from pharmacies and Rotary Clubs. Please note that the newer typed of occult faecal blood test such as the Hemoccult II Sensa are more accurate than the older types.
- Men and women over 40 with a first degree relative who has had bowel cancer should have a colonoscopy every 5 years and more often if bowel polyps are discovered in the colonoscopy.
- Smokers over the age of 40 should have 2nd yearly chest x rays to exclude lung cancer.
- Men over the age of 18 should conduct regular testicular self examination to exclude testicular cancer.
- Men & women over the age of 18 should have regular skin checks especially when they are fair, have had a lot of sun exposure or have a lot of moles. The common skin cancers are Basal cell Carcinoma (BCC), Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and of course Melanomas

Avoid excess stress - learn not to worry and don't take on others problems as your own, take up meditation, yoga or other forms of relaxation
Exercise regularly - both cardiovascular and resistance - go for walks, join a gym
Live in a healthy area. There is little doubt that in the past the leukemia rate has been higher round certain nuclear facilities in Britain & France, especially where children or heir pregnant mothers had visited beaches near plutonium processing plants and in other cancers where housing has been built on soils with hazardous waste or asbestos. The level of air pollution and proximity to some chemical or industrial facilities should also be taken into account. The debate about cancer risk living near high voltage electricity cables still rages, but I would not choose to live closer than 100m from a high voltage powerline.