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$Pretitle{Community and Social Problems}
$Title{Confused About the Role Diet May Have in Preventing Cancer}
$Subject{diet cancer prevention}
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Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Confused About the Role Diet May Have in Preventing Cancer


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QUESTION:  All the statements made, which incidentally seem to change daily, I
am totally confused about the role my diet may have in preventing cancer.  Can
you make any sense out of the endless numbers and "facts" that are printed
each day, or reported on television?

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ANSWER:  The topic of health and disease prevention is one that most Americans
seem to be very interested in, and the news media is just trying to keep up
with all the very latest developments published in medical journals each week.
It is hard to report on all of this material, and to keep straight those
statistics which apply only to a few cases, from those which are generally
accepted by many researchers and clinicians.  Reducing the percentages of
calories obtained from fats in the diet is recommended by most.  Reducing the
amount by about 10%, from 40% to 30% may provide protection from breast,
colon, ovarian and endometrial cancer.  Some experts would like to see that
percentage pushed even lower, to about 20% of total caloric intake.  This
could reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer by as much as 80%. To
accomplish this, you are going to have to learn the fat content of various
food, and keep careful count.  Fiber is another big item in the news these
days.  It may decrease the chances of colon cancer by increasing the bulk of
stools, diluting possible cancer producing material in the stool and
decreasing the time they stay in contact with the cells lining the colon.
Fibers are present in cereals, whole grain breads, fruits and vegetables.
Calcium is also recommended, not only as a measure to prevent osteoporosis,
but also to reduce the chances of colon cancer.  Daily intake of 1200 mg is
recommended.  Other dietary items have been linked with cancer in some
studies, They are smoked, charred and nitrite cured foods.  Stomach cancer has
also been associated with long time use of pickled and salted foods.  If
cancer prevention is really your goal, there are two other items to be
mentioned, although they do not deal specifically with food.  They are
exercise and smoking.  Individuals with active occupations do seem to have a
lower risk of both breast and colon cancer.  The use of tobacco can be linked
with about 30% of all cancer deaths, and it has been associated with cancer of
the lung, pancreas, bladder, kidney and possibly the cervix.  Lung cancer is
now the biggest killer of women (21%) even more lethal than breast cancer
(18%). In summary, if you desire to prevent that which might be preventable,
by consuming a healthy diet, choose foods low in fat and high in fiber, keep
your weight down, exercise regularly, and stay away from tobacco.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
