Is cancer REALLY preventable?

Question

Would be interested in hearing some professional comments, preferrably from credible resources. Thank you.

Answer 1

This is from the American Institute for Cancer Research....

"Cancer IS Preventable"

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The panel estimates that 30 - 40% of cancer cases throughout the world are preventable by feasible dietary means. By 1996, this represented between 3 and 4 million new cases of cancer each year.

The scientific consensus is that cancers are largely preventable, and that the most effective means of reducing risk are avoidance of tobacco use, consumption of appropriate diets, and limiting exposure to occupational and other environmental carcinogens.

The epidemiological and experimental evidence that the recommended diets decrease the risk of cancer is strong and consistent for many sites. Over time, the implementation of one recommendation - consumption of 400 grams/day or more of a variety of vegetables and fruits - could, by itself, decrease overall cancer incidence by at least 20%. The evidence is convincing or probable that diets high in vegetables and/or fruits protect against cancers of the mouth and pharynx, oesophagus, lung, stomach, colon and rectum, larynx, pancreas, breast and bladder.

Doll and Peto estimated in 1981 that, in the USA, perhaps one-third of all cancer deaths might be caused by diet. It is now possible to make a new, global estimation of the extent to which cancer is preventable. The panel emphasises that cancers of different types will take different times to change: if dietary risk factors that modify breast or stomach cancer risk are most relevant early in life, then diets that decrease that risk will take more than one generation to take effect - a finding consistent with studies of migrants.

The table on the opposite page illustrates the proportion of cancers preventable by dietary means. As examples, details on the six most common cancers worldwide are given here.

Lung
The panel emphasises that the overwhelming cause of lung cancer is the smoking of tobacco. At the same time, the panel judges that diets high in a variety of vegetables and fruits, and the microconstituents they contain, may prevent 20 - 33% of cases of lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers.

Stomach
Helicobacter pylori infection is a non-dietary cause of stomach cancer, but the persistence of this infection and its role in carcinogenesis may be modified by dietary factors. Diets high in vegetables and fruits protect against this cancer, as does refrigeration of perishable foods. Diets high in salt and salted foods probably increase the risk.

The panel judges that diets high in vegetables and fruits, together with the use of freezing and refrigeration to preserve perishable food, and a low consumption of salt and salted foods, may prevent 66 - 75% of cases of stomach cancer.

Breast
Some of the main determinants of risk that are related to diet may have most effect in the first two decades of life. Rapid early growth and early menarche, and greater adult height increase risk of this cancer. Diets high in vegetables and fruits probably decrease the risk; high body mass probably increases the risk after menopause, and consumption of alcohol probably increase the risk. A family history of breast cancer increases risk.

The panel judges that plant-based diets, and the avoidance of alcohol, together with the maintenance of recommended body mass and regular physical activity, may decrease the incidence of breast cancer by about 33 - 50%. However, the panel also judges that these habits will have most benefit if established before puberty and maintained throughout life. The potential for prevention starting in adult life may be limited to a 10 - 20% reduction conferred by maintenance of a recommended body weight and the avoidance of alcohol.

Colon and Rectum
Diets high in vegetables decrease risk, as, in the case of colon cancer alone, does regular physical activity. Diets high in fiber and starch possibly decrease risk; those high in meat and in alcohol probably increase risk. Non-dietary risk factors include a protective role for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A family history of colorectal cancer increases risk.

The panel judges that diets high in vegetables, and low in meat, together with regular physical activity and the avoidance of alcohol may decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer by 66 - 75%.

Mouth and Pharynx
Smoking tobacco and chewing tobacco or betel are important non-dietary causes of this cancer. Diets high in vegetables and fruits protect against this cancer and consumption of alcohol increases the risk.

The panel judges that diets high in a variety of vegetables and fruits, together with avoidance of alcohol, may prevent 33 - 50 % of the cases of cancer of the mouth and pharynx.

Liver
Infection with Hepatitis B or C viruses is a non-dietary cause of this cancer. Contamination of food with aflatoxins and high consumption of alcohol increase the risk.

The panel judges that avoidance of food contaminated with aflatoxins and avoidance of alcohol may prevent 33 - 66% of cases of liver cancer.

Did you notice the common thread?
Read the medical abstracts: www.PreventionProof.com

Answer 2

yes many are, it looks like puz said it all, he must be a Doctor, or a quick cut and paste guy.

Answer 3

no , its not , cancer strikes whoever it wants

Answer 4

some are some are not.