Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective

In 2007, a report entitled “Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective” was published by the American Institute for Cancer Research (1). It was a project of the World Cancer Research Fund International and the culmination of a systematic review of many published findings concerning the possible involvement of specific factors in causing or preventing cancer. A panel of international experts, chaired by Sir Michael Marmot of University College London, made the final judgments and produced a set of recommendations designed to prevent cancer and improve world health (1).

Cancer is a group of over 100 diseases defined by their tissue of origin. The process begins with a single cell, which loses control over its growth and replication. Cancer is essentially a disease of the DNA, our genetic material, which during our lifetime can become progressively altered by a process known as mutation. Approximately 5-10% of cancers are the result of inheriting genes that pre-dispose to cancer but the rest are considered to be environmentally-induced, the result of exposure to risk factors encountered through diet, habits (such as smoking), certain infections, radiation, and environmental toxins. It is interesting to note that approximately 85% of cancers are carcinomas, originating in the coverings and linings of the body, collectively known as epithelia. These surfaces are the first sites of contact with cigarette smoke, dietary components, infectious agents and toxic environmental chemicals. So epithelia are most at risk. All of the cancers considered in the World Cancer Research Fund Report are cancers of epithelia.

For the purpose of this report, we will focus on the convincing and most probable risk factors for causing or preventing certain types of cancer.

Explanation of Terms

Adult-attained Height: The height reached in adulthood.

Aflatoxins: A group of toxins produced by several species of the mold Aspergillus, which can grow on crops such as corn, rice and wheat, on oilseeds such as peanuts and soybean, on spices such as black pepper, chili peppers and ginger, and on tree nuts including almonds, pistachios and walnuts. When contaminated produce is ingested, the Aflatoxins are converted by the liver into a highly reactive potent cancer-causing compound, Aflatoxin M1.

Cantonese-style Salted Fish: A type of fish preservation employed in Southern China which is characterized by less use of salt than in the North. The reduced salt concentration permits more fermentation to occur as the fish dries in the hot and humid conditions found nearer the Equator.

Endometrium: The epithelium lining the uterus.

Mate: A herbal infusion traditionally drunk at a very high temperatures in parts of Latin America.

Factors Producing a Convincing Increased Risk of Cancer, and Sites Affected:

Adult-attained Height – Colorectum, Breast (post-menopausal)
Aflatoxins – Liver
Alcohol – Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Esophagus, Colorectum (in men), and Breast (pre-and post-menopausal)
Arsenic in Drinking Water – Lung
Abdominal Fatness – Colorectum
Body Fatness – Esophagus, Pancreas, Colorectum, Breast (post-menopausal), Endometrium and Kidney
Processed Meat – Colorectum
Red Meat – Colorectum

Factors Producing a Probable Increased Risk of Cancer, and Sites Affected:

Adult-attained Height – Pancreas, Breast (pre-menopausal), Ovary
Alcohol – Liver, Colorectum (in women)
Cantonese-style Salted Fish – Nasopharynx
Diets High in Calcium – Prostate
Salt and Salty Foods – Stomach
Mate – Esophagus
Abdominal Fatness – Pancreas, Breast (post-menopausal), Endometrium
Body Fatness – Gall Bladder
Greater Birth Weight – Breast (pre-menopausal)

Factors Producing a Convincing Decreased Risk of Cancer, and Sites Affected:

Physical Activity – Colorectum
Lactation – Breast (pre-and post-menopausal)

Factors Producing a Probable Decreased Risk of Cancer, and Sites Affected:

Foods Containing Dietary Fiber – Colorectum
Non-starchy Vegetables – Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Esophagus, Stomach
Allium (Onion) Vegetables – Stomach
Garlic – Colorectum
Fruits – Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Esophagus, Lung, Stomach
Foods Containing Folate – Pancreas
Foods Containing Carotenoids – Mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Lung
Foods Containing B-Carotene – Esophagus
Foods Containing Lycopene – Prostate
Foods Containing Vitamin C – Esophagus
Foods Containing Selenium – Prostate
Milk – Colorectum
Calcium – Colorectum
Physical Activity – Breast (post-menopausal), Endometrium
Body Fatness – Breast (pre-menopausal)

It is clear that by performing tasks for which we are designed, namely physical activity, and lactation (in women) and by eating fresh unprocessed fruits and vegetables, we reduce the risk of cancer at many locations. Conversely, when we engage in the opposite and consume alcohol, excess calories, moldy grains or legumes, red meat, processed meat, and are overweight, our risk of getting cancer increases.

Based on the expert panel’s judgments, eight Recommendations and two Special Recommendations were made and they are as follows:

Recommendations “Verbatim from the report.”

1) “Body Fatness. Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight.” The normal weight range for adult body mass index (BMI) in the U.S.A. is 18.5 – 24.9. To calculate BMI, multiply your body weight in pounds by 705 and divide the result by your height in inches squared.
2) “Physical Activity. Be physically active as part of everyday life.”
3) “Foods and Drinks that Promote Weight Gain. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods. Avoid sugary drinks.”
4) “Plant Foods. Eat mostly foods of plant origin.” Choose a rainbow of colors of non-starchy fruits and vegetables.
5) “Animal Foods. Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat.”
6) “Alcoholic Drinks. Limit alcoholic drinks.” The report says no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. In his preface, Sir Michael Marmot says “From the point of view of cancer prevention, the best level of alcohol consumption is zero.” I agree.
7) “Preservation, Processing and Preparation. Limit consumption of salt. Avoid moldy cereals (grains) or pulses (legumes).”
8) “Dietary Supplements. Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone.” This is not always possible and a diet analysis should be conducted to check for deficiencies.

Special Recommendations

1) “Breastfeeding. Mothers to breastfeed; children to be breastfed.”
2) “Cancer Survivors. Follow the recommendations for cancer prevention.”

© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Adventist Health Ministry,
Laguna Niguel, California 92677, USA.

Reference

1) World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (2007) Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective. AICR, Washington DC, pp. 516.
http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/