Nutrition, Diet and Health Tips

Currently in our nation, cancer is wiping us out literally.. So what is this monster that’s attacking our loved ones? it is a group of diseases that is caused by an abnormal differentiation of cells that target and destroy ‘normal’ cells. there are different forms of cancers from breast cancer (common in women), cervical cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, blood cancers among others. to date we do not have any specific causes of cancers but there are certain factors and compounds that increases occurrence of the diseases. this factors/compound cause damage to our cell, and eventually trigger cancer. the factors that cause   cancer are what we call carcinogens and they trigger carcinogenesis. Carcinogens can be classified further to medical carcinogens (which includes medicines we take),  environmental carcinogens such as UVB rays associated with skin cancers, chemical bound carcinogens such as asbestos and tobacco, biological carcinogens such as viruses (HPV, associated with cervical cancers),  and food related carcinogens – this are components in foods that trigger cancer cells growth and development such as foods rich in sugars, saturated fats, processed foods, etc. Lifestyle factors have also been associated with cancer occurrence, we have factors such as physical inactivity, poor dietary habits, genetics, stress, among others.

With all those factors that can or are believed to be associated with cancers, the National cost of treatment, research, lost income, as well as physical and emotional burden to patients and family is enormous and we can not ignore the fact that treatment for cancers can be nasty and toxic with little or no known direct explanation from scientists and researchers as to why it is still the way it is today. The complexity of cancer makes effort to eliminate the disease almost impossible and with the alarming increase in prevalence and incidence (increase in cases of cancers) it can be quite scary. Up-to date, there’s no known cause of cancer, and this is a really devastating fact which means more research and alternative methods of dealing with cancer patients should be incorporated in the management and treatment plans for cancer patients. We have all lost a patient, a friend or a family member to this menace, so gathering together to come up with prevention mechanisms should be our main goal.

There’s a strong association between nutrition and cancer, be it as a causative factor, preventive or management. Proper nutrition with adequate consumption of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, together with physical activity, stress management, and improved environmental protection has been associated with less occurrence of the diseases. On the other hand, poor dietary habits, consumption of saturated fats, sugars, poor fruits and vegetables intake, consumption of unsafe water and foods has also been associated with the increased chances of getting cancer.

Since today, the 31/10/2019 marks the end of the cancer month, we can do a different article on the nutritional management of cancers, the pros and the cons, objectives of management, what to consider, and how and when to administer nutrients. We will also tackle the roles of supplementation including the dangers and advantages of the same on cancer management. Also we will briefly go into nutrient delivery for the critically ill patients for those of us with loved ones ailing from the same.

Thank you for finding time to go through this article. Comments and feedback are welcome.

Lilian Mumina

Registered and licensed Clinical Nutritionist

MPH, Epidemiology and Disease Control.

BSc. Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics