Preventing Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Following screening recommendations is essential to prevention, but lifestyle...

Women, if you are looking for more motivation to have a healthy weight, a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer...

A study published recently in JAMA Oncology found that greater sedentary time was associated with higher cancer mortality. This prospective cohort study followed 8,002...

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for one in four deaths. Lifestyle choices such as use of...

A new report from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) links obesity to 12 types of cancer. The report, Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective, analyzed a decade of research to develop cancer prevention recommendations. The analysis found strong evidence that being overweight or obese throughout adulthood increases risk of cancer of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, colon, breast (post menopause), ovaries, endometrium, prostate (advanced), and kidney.

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the US, with 140,000 new cases forecast for 2018. Research has linked dietary factors to colorectal cancer risk. Processed meats are associated with higher risk, whereas high-fiber diets are associated with lower risk, although it is unclear how this happens.

Q. Colon cancer runs in my family, so I want to do everything I can to lower my risk. Ive heard that taking extra calcium can help. Is this true?

Q. I've been drinking soy milk daily for years. Since it contains phytoestrogens, I wonder if it puts me at higher risk of developing breast cancer?

Of any cancer, inflammation has one of the clearest links with colorectal cancer. That includes cancers of the colon (large intestine) and rectum (tail end of the colon). So, it's worth considering whether reducing inflammation through healthful eating could decrease colorectal cancer risk.

The Mediterranean-style diet has been drawing continued support in recent years along with a little cautionary advice. Is the Mediterranean diet healthful and safe-or is it elevated by hype?