Health Information Center – CedrikaProvencher

Cancer is always regarded as the most frightening diseases. Perhaps because the main cause is still debated. The experts expressed, lifestyle, including diet, is one of the causes of cancer. So, what kind of diet that can help us dodging from cancer? Nutritionist in the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, answering our questions about the anti-cancer food.

Are preservatives, nitrates, chemicals and other additives cause cancer?

You know, we often hear stories that connect the various additives, chemicals, and dyes with cancer risk. This could have happened. But basically, the evidence was not shown the truth of the relationship. In fact, some of the antioxidant preservative, which can keep us.

I think people are too much with these theories when they are better focused on ways to reduce their risk of cancer with weight loss, exercise, and healthy diet.

Why are fruits, vegetables, and plant foods seem to protect us from cancer?

Food bernabati possibilities offered protection in several ways. They provide thousands of phytochemicals, natural plant ingredients. Many antioxidants that can maintain and repair DNA. Some antioxidants appear to attack the cancer cells, controlling the growth and spread. Vitamins and minerals in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts also help to produce and repair DNA and control cell growth.

Some foods have a direct effect on some types of cancer. Like, plant foods contain fiber, which seems to reduce the risk of colon cancer. The indirect benefits of eating low-fat foods. Calories tend to be less, so we can add the food without getting a lot of calories.

Is organic food the best prevention against cancer?

Eating organic food is a good choice, but it’s not necessary it is recommended to reduce the risk of cancer. You can find studies that show higher organic food nutrition and protection of phytochemicals, but others said no. Although those concerned with pesticide residues, not all plants contain non-organic pesticides. Less than 1% of content is in the amount above the tolerance level.

If you choose organic, it was good. However, organic fruit and vegetables a greater expense. So eat less fruits and vegetables that you can only buy organic, it’s not a good idea. People should not put them at risk if they eat foods that are grown conventionally.

How does physical activity affect cancer risk?

Physical activity has a vital role in reducing cancer risk. Directly exercise can reduce insulin levels, inflammasi, and reproductive hormone levels. Indirectly, the move can help achieve and maintain ideal weight, as well as preventing obesity that occurs in adults when they get older.

American Institute for Cancer Research recommends physical activity is, at least 30 minutes a day. If you can afford, you need to reach 60 minutes per day or 30 minutes with more severe activity. This not only protects us from cancer, but also maintain weight.

Is meat or similar food contributed to the risk of cancer?

There are quite convincing relationship between red meat and colon cancer, and possibly other cancers as well. Not just fat, although choosing lean meat for nutrition, this is not enough to reduce the risk of cancer. However, you do not have to give up. Ate 1.8 kg of red meat per week is safe.

Eating meat that has been processed, such as marinated, injected, diasapkan, or plus preserved a greater risk of colon cancer. So, should be limited.

In addition you must be careful with the sodium. More than 2400 milligrams a day will increase the risk of stomach cancer. Alcohol also increases the risk of some cancers. Women should not drink more than one drink a day and men no more than two.

Typically at night is the time to rest and sleep. However, few workers who do not work turn (shift) it works at night. Various studies mention the night shift workers vulnerable to various diseases, one of them is cancer.

According to a consultant oncologist from Mayo Clinic, Dr.Timoty Moynihan, MD, the link between night work with cancer may be related to changes in circadian rhythm (the rhythm of life based on the pattern of 24 hours) and decreased levels of melatonin in the blood.

We slept a lot of hormones that work, including the hormone melatonin and growth hormone that plays a role in cell rejuvenation. Also during sleep-cell levels of natural killer cells in the blood is very high.

“Yet there has been no study that can prove a direct link with the work of cancer at night,” said Moynihan.

Therefore, Moynihan suggested that night shift workers to run a healthy lifestyle to prevent cancer, for example by not smoking, maintaining ideal weight, exercise, avoid alcohol, and eating healthy food variety.

Chairman of Indonesia Cancer Foundation Adiati Arifin M Siregar warned, the threat of cancer cases in developing countries, including Indonesia has increased.

“The International Agency for Cancer Research says about 50 percent to 70 percent of cancer cases will occur in developing countries, including Indonesia,” said Arifin Adiati during the inauguration committee Cancer Foundation Indonesia Branch West Kalimantan Pontianak period in 2009-2014.

Factors triggering the world’s population pyramid changes both in number and age distribution. Then the transition of cancer risk factors from developed countries to developing countries.

According to him, the condition was also aggravated the lack of public knowledge about cancer and the means for early detection.

Indonesia Cancer Foundation focused counseling for 10 types of cancer, cervical cancer, breast, liver, lung, skin, nasopharynx, lymph nodes, colon and hot trophoblast disease.

“The cigarettes are also a concern because it became one of the causes of cancer,” said Arifin Adiati.

Indonesia Cancer Foundation Center provides compensation for cancer drugs for patients who can not afford with a budget of Rp100 million per month.

West Kalimantan Provincial Government Regional Secretary said the growth Syakirman disease is not contagious, one of cancer, a major challenge for every region.

“Increased life expectancy, can overcome some infectious diseases, and lifestyle triggers morbidity and mortality are not infectious diseases,” said Syakirman.

The pattern of life that increases exposure to risk factors, including smoking, lack of exercise, stress, eating foods high and low in fiber is weak, and environmental conditions worse.

“About 70 percent of new cases of cancer was found in an advanced stage condition,” said Syakirman.

He acknowledged the treatment of disease and early detection of cancer is not fully given priority in the various policies and government health programs.