Fact or Fiction: Does What you Eat Matter When it Comes to Cancer?
What if I told you that nutrition can aid in cancer recovery? What if a good diet could help with cancer prevention or lessen the side effects of treatments? Would you be shocked?
There has been quite a bit of literature in the last few years which has investigated these exact topics. Like the data on exercise, these natural and back-to-basics interventions can be put in place on an individual level. A nutritionist or physician can help guide nutritional choices and show you where you can optimize your eating habits to help minimize the risk of developing cancer. This optimization can also help one feel better and have better outcomes from cancer treatments. But much of this information can be found online. In fact, much of it you may have already heard. Take note though- one should always verify the reputability of the source before making any changes.
What is the right diet? There is not necessarily one named diet that is touted as preventing cancer or aiding in recovery. More so, making a change in one’s eating pattern should be done gradually and consistently because making a change that you do not stick with simply will not work. [1] According to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center there are about three dozen foods which have been shown to lower the risk of developing cancer. [2] While plant items are definitely the healthiest choice, the biggest goals are to eat in a way that maintains a healthy weight and does not increase cancer risk. The overarching theme is to “eat the rainbow” as the saying goes but to also eliminate as much sugar or processed food as possible. [2]
These foods include but are not limited to:
Brightly colored fruits and vegetables
Berries
Broccoli
Grapes
Tomatoes
Nuts and seeds
Whole grains
Rice
Oatmeal
Quinoa
Lean animal or plant-based protein
Chicken
Fish
Tofu
Lentils
Beans
There is also a difference between plant-based and plant-based with copious amounts of junk food. Obesity is correlated with at least 12 different types on cancer [2] and in certain syndromes known to increase the risk of cancer, such as Lynch syndrome, diet has been shown to play a huge role in risk reduction, especially when it comes to eating less inflammatory foods and more fiber. [4] Foods should be avoided that can cause an inflammatory response. These include processed meats, red meat, and alcohol. [2] Of course, smoking and stress play a role in the inflammatory response as well. [3] Foods should be incorporated if they are known to reduce inflammation.
Obviously, good nutrition is a pivotal player in the fight to prevent cancer but what part does it play in the delicate dance of treating cancer while still maintaining an acceptable quality of life? In this case, things become a little bit more complicated and murky. Nutritional oncology is a relatively new discipline which strives to integrate great nutrition with standard cancer treatments. [5]
It is no secret that traditional cancer treatments have the potential to create many unwanted side effects. [6] Cancer treatments, whether they include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy/ targeted therapy, or all of the above, can cause changes in appetite, loss of weight, and an overall poor nutritional status. When undergoing cancer treatments, it is imperative to maintain an appropriate weight, blood counts, and overall level of health to be able to continue treatment. All of these can be directly linked to nutrition. According to the American Cancer Society dietary changes will likely be needed during cancer treatment simply due to side effects of cancer-directed treatments and to maintain strength to continue receiving treatments. [6] Of course, the recommendations they provide follow the same plant-based guidelines above.
Taking this a step further, nutritional oncology has been designed to develop individual eating plans for patients based on their specific needs, tumor types, treatments, and their daily calorie burn. [5] However, the common theme once again emerges in the recommendation to have a “colorful” plate filled with plants. It is thought that because 70 percent of the body's immune system is in the gut, supporting the immune system can increase its ability to find and fight abnormal cells which could become cancerous in addition to supporting overall health. [5]
Obviously, there is a plethora of information which supports good nutrition to prevent cancer and a similarly large volume of research to show that nutrition during treatment is of the utmost importance but what do the guidelines say? The National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that nutrition is important during cancer treatments and a registered dietician should be part of EVERY care team. [7] The NCI recommends that food be taken by mouth as long as possible but does recognize that sometimes other forms of nutrition may be needed based on the clinical picture. Again, they reiterate that no specific diet has been shown to help prevent, treat, or cure cancer but some diets, such as a vegetarian or vegan diet, have been shown in select cases to have less cancer recurrences. However, more research is needed. [7] The main takeaway is to support the individual so that they can continue to receive their treatments and maintain an acceptable quality of life.
Nutrition clearly plays a role in cancer prevention. Just as importantly, it is critical to have good nutrition during cancer-directed therapy. While no specific diet has been shown to be 100 percent effective at preventing or curing cancer, and more research is clearly needed, the benefits of a healthy, plant-rich diet cannot be overlooked. At a time when so much is out of the control of the one diagnosed with cancer, this is not and knowing this can empower them to use diet as a key treatment tool.
References:
1.Healthy eating: changing your eating habits [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jul 16]. Available from: https://www.cham.org/HealthwiseArticle.aspx?id=ad1169
2.Underferth D. MD Anderson Cancer Center. [cited 2024 Jul 16]. 36 foods that may help lower your cancer risk. Available from: https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/36-foods-that-can-help-lower-your-cancer-risk.h12-1592991.html
3.Taschery S. MD Anderson Cancer Center. [cited 2024 Jul 16]. Inflammation and cancer: Why your diet is important. Available from: https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/inflamation-cancer-diet.h14-1589046.html
4.Resistant starch may lower cancer risk for Lynch syndrome patients | FORCE XRAY review [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jul 16]. Resistant starch may lower cancer risk for Lynch syndrome patients | FORCE XRAY review. Available from: https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/resistant-starch-and-cancer-risk
5.Diet for your Diagnosis: Nutrition plays prime role in treating cancer [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jul 16]. Available from: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/diet-for-your-diagnosis-nutrition-plays-prime-role-in-treating-cancer
6.Benefits of good nutrition during cancer treatment [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jul 16]. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/coping/nutrition/benefits.html
7.Nutrition in cancer care - nci [Internet]. 2003 [cited 2024 Jul 16]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss/nutrition-pdq
