Cancer is among the most feared diseases, despite increased survival times from new drugs, radiation and surgery. Cancer is caused by changes to DNA within your cells that are induced by chemicals in the environment and your body. Dietary habits may influence growth or prevention of cancer. People who adhere to the Mediterranean diet have lower rates of death from cancer. Consult your doctor to determine an appropriate diet for you.
Identification
Cancer, the second-leading cause of death, involves development of abnormal cells that reproduce uncontrollably, infiltrate and destroy normal cells and tissues and spread to other cells and tissues throughout your body. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention says prostate, lung and colorectal cancer are the three most common cancers in men, whereas breast, lung and colorectal cancer are three most common cancers in women. A lump, fatigue, coughing and changes in your skin or bowel habits are common signs.
Features
The traditional Mediterranean diet began in Greece before 1960 and can be followed by most people throughout the world with access to fresh, whole foods. The traditional Mediterranean diet is characterized by plenty of vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts and whole-grain cereals, regular use of olive oil, moderate amounts of fish and dairy products, primarily yogurt or cheese, minimal amounts of red meat and moderate consumption of red wine consumed at meals. The Mediterranean diet contains healthy fat, particularly monounsaturated fat from olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids from nuts and fish, and minimizes or avoids unhealthy fats, such as saturated fat from meat and dairy and trans fats from processed foods.
Prevention
The Mediterranean diet may reduce your risk of cancer. Research by Lisa Verberne published in "Nutrition and Cancer" in 2010 reviewed and summarized the evidence of 12 epidemiological studies in different populations worldwide on the association between the Mediterranean diet and cancer. The research found collectively that evidence shows that the Mediterranean diet is protective against cancer. Research by C. Pelucchi published in "Nutrition and Cancer" in 2009 discovered that selected aspects of the Mediterranean diet reduce many types of cancer. The research identified that increasing vegetable consumption reduces risk of epithelial cancer, increasing fruit intake reduces laryngeal and digestive tract cancer, increasing olive oil and unsaturated fats are associated with lower incidence of several cancers, including the upper respiratory and digestive tracts, and consuming whole grains reduces the risk of various types of cancers.
Warning
Despite the potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet in protecting you from developing cancer, the diet is not clinically tested for the treatment of cancer. Adhering to a diet very high in fruits, vegetables and fiber and low in fat did not reduce additional breast cancer events or death during a seven-year follow-up period among survivors of early stage breast cancer, according to research by John Pierce published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" in 2007. Consult your doctor about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Cancer
- New England Journal of Medicine: Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet and Survival in a Greek Population
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: United States Cancer Statistics
- Harvard School of Public Health: Close Adherence to a Traditional Mediterranean Diet Promotes Longevity
- PubMed.gov: Association Between the Mediterranean Diet and Cancer Risk: A Review of Observational Studies
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