Diet - Recommended for Cancer Patients

Hello again,
Finally managed to capture some time to pen a new topic.
This time round, I'm going to emphasize on DIET... the food that I eat.

My findings are based on what Dr Cheung, my Traditional Chinese Medical practitioner shared with me, along with a book which my dear sister had bought for me, titled "The Power of Food - CANCER, Food, Facts & Recipes".
This findings of this book areu by Dr Clare Shaw of the Royal Marsden Hospital, Eupore's largest cancer hospital. 

The cause of cancer is seldom straightforward or attributable to a single factor. But diet has been identified as possible contributing to the risk of a third of all cancers, so eating the right foods can be a great step forward and means that reducing the chance of developing cancer is now a real possibility for us all.

I will cover things like carcinogenic agents(cancer promoters), tumour promoters, protective nutrients (eg. antioxidants), protein, vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, eggs, fats, oils, salt, alcohol & exercise.


1. Causes of Cancer
1. The environment which we live.
Carcinogens can actually cause cancer. Eg. cigarettes smoke, sun rays, radiation, asbestos.
If you are surrounded by this, take preemptive measures to protect yourself.

2. Heredietary

Cancer like colon & breast cancer may run in families. It doesn't mean that all members will develop cancer, but they are at higher risk than the general population.

3. Viral Infections

Some viruses alter our genetic material of cells, in turn becomes more susceptible to developing cancer in future. Eg. Genital wart virus HPV (cancer of the cervix), hepatitis B(liver cancer), Epstein-Barr virus (naso-pharyngeal cancer), tuberculosis (lung cancer).

4. Incidence of Cancer
Normally happens to older people. But nowadays, more and more young people are diagnosed with cancer but have successful treatment and are therefore living with the disease.
Common cancer are breast, large bowel, lung, narsopharynx, prostate, stomach, lymphoma, cervix, blood, ovary, head & neck,

2. How can diet influence the development of cancer?

A damaged cell needs to replicate in order to grow into a group of cancer cells.
Some substances in our diet may either encourage the replication process and promote cancer growth or slow it down, so protecting against cancer.

1. Carcinogenic Agents

These agents may directly influence DNA or protein in cells. Eg. include aflatoxins, which are found in mouldy food, alcohol and certain compounds produced by some cooking and food processing methods.

2. Tumour Promoters
These agents stimulate the genes and encourage replication of cancer cells. Eg. include alcohol, high fat or high energy diet which promotes the production of harmful substances such as free radicals (which influence DNA disorganization).


3. Things to Include into your Diet

a. Protective Nutrients

1. Antioxidants

For DNA cell maintenance and repair, which reduce the production of free radicals, preventing early damage to cells & reducing chance of becoming cancerous. 

Eg. vitamin C, D, E, E-beta carotene, selenium, cartenoids, folic acid
Food Eg. Broccoli, choi sam(vegetable), bread, eggs(steam), fish(wt scales), meat(a bit), nuts, seeds, wholegrains, tomatoes, papayas, persimmons

Brinjal with chicken

Lightly simmer carrots

2. Phytoestrogens

Works similar like oestrogens in our body.
Food eg. beans, lentils, soya, oil seeds, wholegrains

3. Other bioactive compounds

Eg. Allium compounds (chives, onions), flavonoids (broad beans, broccoli, onions, tomatoes), plant sterols (cereals, apple, nuts, seeds, choi sam), terpenoid (oil of citrus fruits), isothiocyanates (broccoli, brussels)

b. Starchy & Protein Rich Foods

Red Bean

Porridge

Starchy foods include cereals (wheat, rye, oats, barley, rice), vegetables(potatoes, sweet potatoes).

Choose wholegrain cereals like brown rice or multigrain rice , wholemeal bread rather than white bread.
Muesli with chopped bananas, nuts with sprinkles of sesame or pumpkin seeds are good as well.

c. Vegetables & Fruit

Choy sum pork soup

Light stir fry choy sum

Vegetables & fruit are rich in vitamins, minerals & compounds that help protect against cancer. 

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, choy sum, sweet potatoes leaves.

Fruits are red apples(skin & room temperature) or papaya (room temperature).

d. Meat, Fish & Eggs  

Mayau fish

Avoid intake of red meat. Look into poultry, preferable "Kampung Chicken (free-range)" in small amount.

Teriyaki sauce salmon

Fish with scales like mayau fish (threadfin fish), sek pan (garoupa fish), salmon (but must least fat).

Eggs should be steam or properly cooked. Half boiled eggs are avoided.

Avoid cure meat like ham, sausages, lap cheong(cured sausage) as it contains nitrates and nitrites that preserve the meat or fish against bacteria.

Avoid smoked meat or fish too. It has carbon particles from the burning wood. Its often salted and may represent additional risk for cancer. 

e. Fats & Oils

Economy rice

Oats & carrot cake

Cut down on saturated fats which are mostly animal origin, but also coconut and palm oils. 
These oils tend to be solid at room temperature.
Polyunsaturated are mostly from vegetable origin, tends to be liquid at room temperature. 
Found in oily fish, avocados, nuts, rapeseed, sunflower & corn oils.
Monounsaturated oils are found in olive oil, fish, some nuts & seeds.
These are safe to take in small amount. Cut down on creamy desserts/sauces, crisps, deep fried snacks, salted nuts & chocolate. Avoid chicken/pork skin & fat. 


f. Milk
Avoid dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese. 

Dairy products causes the body to produce mucus & cancer cell feeds on it. 

Herbal soup

g. Salt

Reduce intake to less than 1 1/4 tablespoons/day.
Anything salty, try to avoid it. Or use sea salt in very small amount.




h. Sugar
Sugar substitutes like nutrasweet, equal are made with aspartame. 
Try avoidning sugar or substitute it with honey in small amounts.
Anything salty, try to avoid it. Cancer cells feed on it.

i. Alcohol
Less concentrated drinks like beer & wine are better choices than spirits. 
But, avoid alcohol if possible. 

j. Can Food
As it has preservatives, avoid it at all times.

k. Cooking - Maximum Freshness 

Potato Tuna salad

Egg Potato salad

Food must be fresh for maximum vitamin & mineral richness. 
Avoid cooking meat & fish at very high temperature. Avoid charred meat & meat juices. 

Steam or bake vegetables.






l. Weight & Exercise 

Always exercise regularly. Practice qiqong or do morning brisk walks for an hour, preferable daily. 
Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment.


m. Cold Food

Suet Yee

Avoid food which are cold in temperature. Let the food rest at room temperature before consumption.

Ultimately, eat sparingly. Do not eat too much on a single food source. 
It could cause the body to automatically repel & make you uncomfortable.
I have tried this when I took too much onion. 
Like Dr Cheung said, be like a dragonfly.
It fly & taps lightly onto every leaves or flower or water surface when on air. 

What I had recommended above is based on my current diet, & does not guarantee or serve as a recommended food source by a dietrician.
But if we eat healthily, it might prevent a recurrence of cancer, why not try it? 
We are what we eat.