Cancer and Nutrition

DNA… Chromosomes… Genes… Mitosis… Mutations… Carcinogenic…

What is Cancer? Cancer is a disease when _______________ divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the ________________&_________________systems. There are more than _____different types of cancer. One in three people will contract cancer, and one in four will die from the disease. Within five years, cancer is likely to surpass ______________________ as the leading cause of death. A group of abnormal/mutated cells is called a ___________________ for example, cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer; cancer that begins in melanocytes of the skin is called melanoma.

Not all tumors are __________; tumors can be benign or malignant. ___________ tumors aren't cancerous. They can often be removed, and, in most cases, they do not come back. Cells in benign tumors do NOT spread to other parts of the body. _____________tumors are cancerous. Cells in these tumors can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called ________________.

Possible symptoms of cancers… Unexplained weight loss Night sweats Fever Fatigue Pain Skin changes - hyperpigmentation Darker looking skin (hyperpigmentation)-Chemotherapy agents can cause this, side effect is currently unknown but may involve direct toxicity, stimulation of melanocytes (cells in skin responsible for skin color) and/or inflammation. Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice)-liver disease Reddened skin (erythema)-redness of the skin due to congestion of the capillaries Itching (pruritus)-medical term for itching, is a common symptom of allergies, inflammation, or even physical irritation.

What to eat to  your risk of CA Get plenty of ____________ through colorful fruits and vegetables. Various colors will also provide you with a variety of _____________ and _____________. Eat dark fruits and veggies for their antioxidants_. Eat _______ fruits and veggies for their ________________ - a carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found abundantly in _______________ and other red fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are primarily found in fruit and vegetables, and various colors are said to represent different benefits. Frequently, fruit or vegetables with the same color provide the same cancer-fighting nutrient. As a result, it is best to eat a variety of colors because one antioxidant may not fight all cancers. Red-colored fruit and vegetables contain lycopene, which may help prevent cancer, but is also good for your heart and memory. Foods that are red include watermelons, tomatoes, strawberries, red grapes, cherries, red apples, cranberries, pink grapefruit, pomegranates, raspberries, beets, red peppers, radishes, and red onions. Kidney and pinto beans are also considered red and provide the same benefits. Phytochemical-any of various biologically active compounds found in plants.

What to avoid to  your risk of CA Don’t use __________________ products. Limit intake of _______ , especially ___________ from animal sources. Avoid _______________. Use only in moderation. Maintain a healthy weight (avoid obesity) and be ___________ _________ to maintain a strong immune system. Tobacco…Second hand smoking can also be a huge contributing factor to lung cancer. Limit fat…High-fat diets tend to be higher in calories and might increase the risk of overweight or obesity — which can, in turn, increase cancer risk. Drinking…The risk of various types of cancer — including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver — increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you've been drinking regularly. Exercise…Adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits. But for substantial health benefits, strive to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic physical activity

Minimize ________________ exposure. Avoid ________ ________and _________________. These are just as damaging as natural sunlight. Your best chance for survival of any cancer is ________________________________________ Sun…avoid midday sun. Stay in the shade. When you're outdoors, stay in the shade as much as possible. Sunglasses and a broad-rimmed hat help, too. Covered areas…Wear tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Opt for bright or dark colors, which reflect more ultraviolet radiation than pastels or bleached cotton. Hepatitis B…The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for certain high-risk adults — such as adults who are sexually active but not in a mutually monogamous relationship. Any way of exchanging bodily fluids. HPV…HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to cervical and other genital cancers as well as squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. Safe sex…Limit your number of sexual partners, and use a condom when you have sex. The more sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the more likely you are to contract a sexually transmitted infection — such as HIV or HPV. Sharing needles with an infected drug user can lead to HIV, as well as hepatitis B and hepatitis C — which can increase the risk of liver cancer. medical care…Regular self-exams and screenings for various types of cancers — such as cancer of the skin, colon, prostate, cervix and breast — can increase your chances of discovering cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful.

Ask your doctor about the best cancer screening schedule for you Ask your doctor about the best cancer screening schedule for you. Take cancer prevention into your own hands, starting today. The rewards will last a lifetime.