To Eat or Not To Eat

Abstract from Lancet Oncology
People who eat large amounts of meat might be at increased risk of dev eloping some types of gastric cancer, European researchers report (J Natl Cancer Inst 2006; 98: 345–54). The risk is higher if they are also infected with Helicobacter pylori. “The most important thing we found
is an association between red meat and processed-meat intake and non-cardia gastric cancer”, says lead researcher Carlos González, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain. “The risk was much larger in people who ate a lot of red [meat] and processed meat and who were also infected with H pylori".

Patients who had the highest meat intake had other characteristics that
could contribute to risk of developing cancer, she says, such as a greater
possibility that they were current or former smokers, or that they had low
consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. “It may be across the board that those with the highest consumption were the unhealthiest in many areas, all of which could infl uence their cancer risk”, Cline-Burkhardt adds.

Apology

First I apologise for going into hibernation without informing.

Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer?

An elderly couple on train asked me whether artificial sweeteners can cause cancer. The fact is that there is no proven data to say that, "yes they cause cancer".
The doubts were raised when animals(rats) were fed with these seeteners in large quantities and they were found to have cancer.
No study in human beings has established this relation. Inspite of all this, can I categorically say that they do not cause cancer. The available evidence may not be all that correct and tomorrow some other evidence may come up. So the right think to say would be that, as of today I cannot say that they cause cancer but in an individual with increased risk it may potentiate.

Cancer is a multifactorial disease and therefore it is difficult to gather evidence and say this is harmful.
Long back I had heard a saying, "Everything under the sun is poison, only the quantity, quality and the person who takes it makes the difference."

Living a diciplined life and consuming things in moderation is a best way to keep most of the diseases away.
For those who arer interested in the FDA reply the following links will help

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/artificial-sweeteners

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpaspart.html

http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/append/appb.pdf

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive, treatment-resistant tumour, which is increasing in frequency throughout the world. Although the main risk factor is asbestos exposure, a virus, simian virus 40 (SV40), could have a role. Mesothelioma has an unusual molecular pathology with loss of tumour suppressor genes being the predominant pattern of lesions, especially the P16INK4A, and P14ARF, and NF2 genes, rather than the more common p53 and Rb tumour suppressor genes. Cytopathology of mesothelioma effusions or fine-needle aspirations are often sufficient to establish a diagnosis, but histopathology is also often required. Patients typically present with breathlessness and chest pain with pleural effusions. Median survival is now 12 months from diagnosis. Palliative chemotherapy is beneficial for mesothelioma patients with high performance status. The role of aggressive surgery remains controversial and growth factor receptor blockade is still unproven. Gene therapy and immunotherapy are used on an experimental basis only.

For further information the following links are helpful

http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/types/malignantmesothelioma/

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_malignant_mesothelioma_29.asp

http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/malignantmesothelioma/patient/

http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic449.htm

How should I prevent a second cancer ?

The cancer patients who get cured are asked to be on regular health check-up for various reasons. The life for a cancer patient changes for ever , once he/she is diagnosed of cancer. There is a constant fear of the disease coming back. I cannot deny that each individual does have a risk of suffering from cancer and the risk varies from person to person. How should one minimise one's risk ?

1. In breast cancer patients it has been found that eating lots of fruits and vegetables and restricting the intake of dietary fats , helps in reducing the risk.
2. In head and neck cancer patients also eating fruits and vegetables has tremendous benefits. Under medical supervision you can also consider Vitamin A analog supplementation.
3. Consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grain-based foods, have been shown to have a protective effect particularly for cancers of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.
4. Restrictions:Choose foods low in fat ,Limit consumption of meats, especially high-fat meats

The universal best things to avoid completely are

1. Smoking
2. Alcohol
3. Any kind of tobacco product.

All said and done leading a healthy balanced life with lot of fun , does help.

Diet And Cancer

Cancer is multifactorial and it is difficult at times to blame one particular agent for causing cancer. But most of you would have been interested in understanding the relationship between diet and cancer. Well, I came across a good interview in NEWSCIENTIST, I am providing the link for the same.
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/cancer/mg18624942.000.

Welcome your questions and suggestions.