Judith E. Brown Prof. Albia Dugger Miami-Dade College Diet and Cancer Unit 22

What is Cancer? Cancer Diseases in which abnormal cells grow out of control and can spread throughout the body Most common sites for cancer development are the lungs, colon, prostate, and breasts Cancer has many causes and is not contagious

Percent of Cancer Deaths by Site

How Does Cancer Develop? Normal cells replicate their DNA and divide to form new cells on a regulated schedule Cancer begins with a failure in the mechanisms that regulate cell division

How Does Cancer Develop? Initiation phase Start of the cancer process Begins with the alteration of DNA in cells due to the presence of toxic substances If damaged DNA is repaired, cancer does not develop

How Does Cancer Develop? Promotion phase Development of cancer continues and the number of cells with altered DNA increases Can take place over years Progression phase Abnormal cells increase rapidly, erode normal tissue functions, may migrate to other tissues

Steps in Cancer Development

What Causes Cancer? 80-90% of cancers are initiated by environmental factors that alter DNA Most factors are modifiable

What Causes Cancer? Diet accounts for ~40% of cancer risk Westernized dietary intake and lifestyle increase risk of many types of cancer Genetic factors account for ~5-42% of risk for some cancers Prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancers

Fruits, Vegetables, and Cancer Five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day lowers cancer risks Antioxidants and phytochemicals reduce inflammation and oxidative damage to DNA and suppress abnormal cell multiplication

Fruits, Vegetables, and Cancer Cruciferous vegetables reduce risk of lung, bladder, stomach, and prostate cancer Broccoli Cauliflower Brussels sprouts Cabbage

Color-Coding Fruits and Vegetables Many antioxidant phytochemicals can be identified by their color The best advice is to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables daily

Saturated Fats Promote Cancer High intakes of saturated fats from meat and dairy products increase cancer risk Plant proteins provide unsaturated fats plus vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals

Nitrates and Cancer Meats preserved with nitrates are associated with stomach cancer Hot dogs, luncheon meats, bacon Smoked, salted, and pickled foods Check food ingredient labels for nitrates

Grilled Meats and Cancer Meats charred by broiling or grilling are coated with cancer- promoting substances

Diet and Cancer Guidelines Alcohol Risk of breast, mouth, throat, and liver cancers are linked to alcohol Excess body fat Central obesity alters metabolism of hormones and promotes cancer

Eat to Beat the Odds Help prevent cancer by adhering to a good diet and healthy lifestyle Don’t smoke or drink excessively ≥5 serving of fruits and vegetables each day Low-saturated-fat diet Physical activity Normal level of body fat