Cancer ranks first to third cause of death in many parts of the globe. It starts with changes in the genes that will then trigger uncontrolled multiplication and division of cells leading to tumor formation in many cancer types. The cancer cells nourished by the same nutrients that nourish healthy cells. It is hard to pinpoint a cause of the genetic mutation but there can be several risk factors. Broadly, these are categorized into two – genes and environment. Used here, the environment includes all other factors other than genes. Experts say genes account for 5-10% and all the rest is the environment, many of which are preventable – diet, alcohol intake, smoking, overweight and obesity, sedentary lifestyle or physical inactivity, cancer-causing pathogens or chemicals. Few are occupational-related as in asbestos-laden jobs.
No two cases of cancer, especially if hormonal-related, are alike. Assuming two people are afflicted with breast cancer, same stage and same age, what applies to one may not apply to the other. This highlights the need to seek medical consultation as treatment needs to be individualized.
One common error of patients upon diagnosis is to shun away from many carbs particularly sugar and sweets, from protein like red meat and live on minimal white meat (chicken and fish). On the whole, their food intake is decreased. Yet, many turn to food supplements. Yes, food supplements may increase one’s nutrient intake but some may contradict treatment e.g. chemotherapeutic effects so intake should be referred to the proper medical doctor too. A food supplement that works for one person, sick or not, may not necessarily work for the other simply because we have different diets and metabolism such that a nutrient that is lacking in one’s diet, is not the same with another. Note that supplements are intended to increase the nutrients we get from natural foods.
Truly, processed meat should indeed be avoided as it is included in the list of carcinogens or those that cause cancer. As to other foods like carbs, these are to be our chief energy source and should compose the bulk of our diet. Choose healthier carbs like less processed rice and as recommended for everyone, minimize ultra-processed carbs like sugar and other sweets. One may reduce total carb intake if overweight or obese but if decreased appetite is experienced, there may be no need to intentionally reduce total food intake. Any surgery requires adequate energy which comes from carbs, protein and fat. Protein, some vitamins and minerals are needed for wound healing so don’t totally avoid protein. It is healthier options that matter and the basics of adequacy, variety, calorie-control.
While nutrition is only a part of the whole equation in effectively dealing with cancer, nutrition is the greatest support to help you maintain well-being and ensure ability to complete treatment. Nutritional goals sustain energy and nutrient needs to achieve or maintain good nutrition which also makes one feel better. Good nutrition has long been linked to better prognosis, better toleration of treatment-related side effects, lowered risk of infection in addition to faster recovery and healing.
