According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2019, cancer claimed the lives of 606,880 people in the United States alone, and there were an estimated 1.76 million new cases of cancer diagnosed. Worldwide, cancer is one of the leading causes of death. In 2018, there were 18 million new cases involving cancer leading to 9.5 million deaths worldwide. It’s estimated that by 2040, there will be 27.5 million new cases a year and over 16 million deaths worldwide–mostly due to an aging population.
It’s shocking to think that cancer can be preventable, isn’t it? Sure, genetics plays a role– there are people who eat meat, smoke and drink alcohol all of their lives and live to 100 with barely an illness and some people are vegans their whole life and die of cancer. But those are the exceptions, not the rule. Science is finding that lifestyle is the one contributing factor that is within your control that can lead you to have a healthy life.
Scientists and health providers are realizing the only way to beat this trend is to change society’s lifestyle practices. Who would have thought that lifestyle could alter cancer’s effect? Could this be a key to stopping cancer’s destructive pathway?
“The food we eat, how active we are and how much we weigh are all things that influence our risk of cancer, and all of these factors are modifiable – there are things people can do to reduce their risk.” – Dr. Kate Allen, Executive Director, Science and Public Affairs
A plant-based diet for cancer prevention
We spoke about many foods that increase the risk of cancer, but what foods decrease the risk for cancer or prevent it altogether? A high-fiber, plant-based diet is the solution to preventing cancer. This diet includes foods like grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. These plant-based foods protect against the risk of all forms of cancer caused by meat and can even protect against breast cancer. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) recommends the whole, planted-based foods as a solution to prevent cancer. Maybe giving those foods we find less desirable, like vegetables and fruit, a “shot” and decrease the risk of cancer.
“Our evidence suggests the greatest risk is for people who consume no or hardly any vegetables or fruit,” – Dr. Rachel Thompson, WCRF’s Head of Research Interpretation.
The WCRF concludes that one can reduce the risk of cancer by 40 percent by avoiding processed meat, red meat, dairy, sugary drinks, alcohol, and by committing to regular exercise.
That means eat out less, choose whole foods to buy over processed and try to eat five to six servings of fresh fruit and vegetables in a day. One serving of fruit is one cup, which is half an apple, so it’s not as hard as you think to get five to six servings a day.
When it comes to your health, where are your priorities?
Health educators have an urgent task to inform the public about how they can make this transition in their lifestyle. It is not an easy change when it has been a familiar way of life. But it can be done, and the results will be astounding. After all, it is your life and health, so take charge of your lifestyle today.
(Submitted by Betty Dean. Excerpt from Article by Raeann Leal. Used by permission from www.lifeandhealth.org. Courtesy of LifeSpring – Resources for Hope and Healing Stuart, VA)
