The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the vast majority of cervical cancer cases. A cervical cancer prevention strategy could include self-care to help clean an HPV infection (read more)
Read MoreFAST-FACTS FROM THIS ARTICLE: It is estimated that 52,225 colon cancer cases, or 38.3%, are due to poor diet in the U.S. (read more…) DOWNLOAD FREE STUFF: If you’ve ever gone to the doctor and said "this time I will ask lots of important questions about my health," then this post is for you. Download the 5 Day Cancer-Fighting Smoothie Challenge so you can start eating (or rather drinking) more fruits and vegetables. The next time your doctor asks “do you have any questions,” ask their opinion about the role nutrition plays in cancer prevention, including the info presented below: colon cancer prevention. Colon Cancer Symptoms Colon cancer, also known as bowel cancer or colorectal cancer, is an adenocarcinoma (glandular cancer) that involves the large bowel. The large bowel is called the intestines. Colon cancer symptoms include: 1) bowel changes that can occur
Read MoreFAST-FACTS FROM THIS ARTICLE: Eating these foods every day lowers cancer risk: 16% for vegetables, 13% for salad, 4% for fresh fruit (read more
Read MoreVitamin D may help you prevent breast cancer or a breast cancer recurrence. It is a wonder vitamin every women should have in their healthy cancer diet plan (updated March 2021)
Read MoreNOTE: Our instant download "7 Natural Cancer Fighting Tips" is a great companion to this article. Everywhere I go I hear genuine concern from people about what appears to be an increasing rate of cancer. Most of the concern centers around why younger people and African American women seem to have higher rates of cancers. In the end, I'm always asked what can be done to combat this. So many factors go into cancer development but growing scientific evidence shows more fruits and vegetables, especially cancer fighting vegetables, are key to preventing cancer. What Are the 10 Cancer-Fighting Vegetables? So what exactly are these vegetables? The 10 vegetables listed below are in the cruciferous vegetable family (pronounced crew-sif-er-us) also known as Brassicaceae, and they cause changes in the body that fight off cancer. Cabbage (red and green) Cauliflower Bok choy Turnips Watercress Brussel Sprouts Broccoli
Read MoreThe Mediterranean Diet is all the rage. I'm sure you’ve seen those eye-catching, colorful, plant-based food bowls on social media. Some may throw a small portion of lean meat on the side. Noticeably absent is bread, pasta, dessert. So this diet is heavy on plant-based foods, minimal meat, and very little white flour and white sugar. Which makes the Mediterranean Diet great for cancer prevention. The Science-based Cancer Prevention Diet There are hundreds of studies that have looked at how the Mediterranean Diet prevents a wide variety of cancers. A recent study called a “meta-analysis” (it reviews many other studies, combines the data and analyzes it) found that the Mediterranean diet has the potential to prevent certain cancers. (Reference: L. Schwingshackl’s, et al., “Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Risk of Cancer.” Nutrients. 2017) The authors gathered data from 83 different dietary studies
Read MoreCan We Trust the Reports on Cancer Prevention? I just came back from a relaxing and enjoyable weekend in suburban Boston getting trained on yoga for breast cancer patients and survivors. The focus was on reducing the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation with gentle yoga. Our breast cancer yogini was Camille of exclusive yoga, and she did a fantastic job of not only demonstrating the movements, but also on the science behind benefits of yoga. The added bonus of this training was learning about how to read the statistics of scientific studies. Camille expertly explained that reports of the latest drugs for treating breast cancer may overly state the benefits. Could that be true for healthy eating studies focused on cancer patients? I went back to a recent study I quoted on this blog to see if it were true.
Read MoreWhat exactly does “cancer awareness” mean? After years of being conditioned into thinking that it has to do with finding a cure for cancer, we can now say the exact opposite to be true. Based on recent statistics, 14 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2012 resulting in 8.2 million cancer-related deaths (National Cancer Institute (NCI); available at: www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/statistics. Accessed February 23, 2016). Despite the millions of dollars raised during various cancer awareness months, it seems that this does not translate into cancer prevention. And with February being cancer prevention month, it's a good idea to highlight ways the public can prevent certain cancers. We all know someone who's been affected by cancer. And for those with a family history, there may be a heightened fear of getting a cancer diagnosis. However, very few cancers are due inheritance. In fact,
Read MoreIn a previous post I explained how during a recent doctor’s visit with one of my prostate cancer clients I asked the question if supplementation with Vitamin D could slow the progression of disease. The healthcare provider said it could be helpful in lowering risk of disease, however, there were no human studies that showed it benefited men with low-grade disease on active surveillance. Well, I pulled out my tablet and did a quick search of the medical literature while the doc and patient (my client) continued discussing other topics. I came across an interesting study, which is discussed below. Do high doses of vitamin D slow progression of prostate cancer? 43 Men diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer, and on active surveillance, had a biopsy to remove portions of the prostate so it could be examined for evidence of disease (NOTE: active surveillance means
Read MoreI recently attended a doctor’s visit with a prostate cancer client serving as his Patient Advocate. I was there to help ask questions my client didn’t feel comfortable asking or might not have thought to ask. We discussed his recent lab results and lifestyle interventions with his healthcare provider and I asked ‘what about his Vitamin D level?” After a quick glance, the HCP said they were on the low end (less than 30 ng/mL), but not too low. I decided to share recent research suggesting low levels of Vitamin D could impact prostate cancer risk. The HCP responded that his patient currently has prostate cancer and there’s no research on if Vitamin D could slow the progression of prostate cancer (read my response in the next post). He agreed more Vitamin D would be good, so my client is now
Read MoreDuring a recent coaching session with a prostate cancer client, I listened closely as he explained how his weight had decreased while eating more plant-based on our program. He asked, “why didn’t you tell me that I’d lose weight on your program?” I thought for a second and replied, “it never crossed my mind to tell you that. I’m more concerned with you eating more plants and improving your health outcomes than promoting a weight loss program.” Facts on Obesity and Prostate Cancer Obesity is now linked to over 13 cancers and prostate cancer is no exception. Prostate cancer has dire consequences in African American men that are obese. Their risk of low-grade prostate cancer increases by 122% Their risk of high-grade prostate cancer increases 88% Estimates are that 37% of African American men are obese compared to non-Hispanic White men Prostate
Read MoreIn a previous post, I discussed how men who adopted a vegan diet and exercise could help reverse the signs of prostate cancer. That study included men who were vegan for 1 year. After 1 year all the men who went vegan saw their PSA levels stay the same, while men who did not adopt a vegan diet had an increase in their PSA. As previously mentioned, PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a marker in the blood that indicates the presence of prostate cancer. So what if the men ate vegan for more than one year? Well, Dr. Dean Ornish extended the study for two years and the results are still promising for men on active surveillance and want to adopt a vegan lifestyle: How can 2 years of eating vegan slow down prostate cancer? After 2 years on a vegan diet, only 5% (2
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