As has been highly popularized, the public has been taught that there’s virtually nothing to do about cancer other than to have a whole lot of testing and to catch it early. Happily, others have begun to catch on to the research and the common sense that lifestyle has much and in many cases everything with whether or not you end up with this frightening illness.
A recent study showed the facts behind both how many people think they can do something to prevent or overcome cancer and whether or not you truly could do something about it.
A survey by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) revealed that almost half of Americans believe that preventing cancer is impossible or improbable. Whether this was denial or ignorance, the survey also showed that the “awareness” of a proven link between cancer and nutrition was extremely low.
The survey says:
- Only 49% were aware that diets low in fruits and vegetables increase cancer risk.
- Only 46% cited obesity as a risk factor for cancer.
- Only 37% knew of alcohol’s link to cancer.
- Only 36% were aware of the link between diets high in red meat — particularly processed meat — and cancer.
The truth is that a report called Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective showed that you have a whole lot to do about whether or not you get cancer. This is no small document. The report took five years to complete and was based on more than 7,000 scientific studies. It is the most comprehensive review ever published of the science linking cancer risk to diet, physical activity, and weight.
According to this document from the AICR and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), about one third of cancers worldwide could be wiped out through diet and exercise.
This is a conservative number because it doesn’t look at the other Essentials that have been shown to boost immunity and prevent disease.
Care and treatment like Chiropractic, attention to toxins, detoxing, and stress management also can dramatically impact function and resistance to disease in a remarkable way. Bottom line – you can do something to prevent and if you get the illness, overcome cancer and all disease.
The Report found convincing evidence for a link between cancer and the following lifestyle practices:
- Excess weight — especially abdominal fat. Since the 1990’s more and more research has supported a connection between excess weight and numerous cancers. Being overweight increases the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer, and cancers of the colon, pancreas, kidney, endometrium, and esophagus. In fact, excess weight is now second only to cigarette smoking as a preventable cause of cancer.
- Lack of physical activity. All forms of activity can protect against colon cancer, and probably protect against post-menopausal breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Active people have healthier levels of circulating hormones, and may be able to eat more without gaining weight..
- Eating a lot of red meat — particularly processed meats. We have stronger evidence now than in 1997 (when the report was last compiled) that high intakes of red and processed meats – those preserved with smoking, curing or salt – increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
- Drinking alcohol. Even moderate alcohol intake may increase risk of cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, colorectum (in men) and breast. It also is considered a probably cause of liver cancer and colorectal cancer in women. But it may also reduce the risk of heart disease. Clearly, something to do on a limited basis.
- Eat lots of plant foods – fruits and vegetables. There is a “probable” protective effect against cancers of the digestive tract, lung, and prostate, and the connection between eating plant foods and being successful in losing weight.
The U.S. president, the local hospital, the American Cancer Association, or new researches on drug and radiation treatments aren’t ever going to deliver to you a magic cure. These groups have, as many journalists have put it, “Lost the war on cancer” that was launched over 50 years ago.
Depending on what research you study or whose opinions you look at we’ve either gone backwards, made no, or made little progress with the numbers of people diagnosed or dying from this horrible affliction. One thing we do know – you can do something about it.
What you can do is not another test or waiting until you get the disease and trusting in treatments. There are 5 Essential components your Maximized Living doctor works with that can help.