Cancer Fighting Foods - Essay Example

Cancer does not discriminate and affects people of all ages. However, cancer risk increases with age because aging DNA can be damaged more easily. It is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. There are many, many types of cancer and it affects many parts, location, organs, tissues, etc. of the body. The body is made of cells so cancer can affect any organ. The list of common cancers consists of cancer that is most frequently diagnosed in the United States. Some of the most common types of cancer include breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer, skin cancer (non-melanoma), colon and rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, and thyroid cancer.

Environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol, radiation, nutrition, and certain viruses are associated with cancer. Lifestyle factors affect the risk of getting cancer. These include smoking, diet, consumption of alcohol, exercise, certain sexually transmitted diseases, and sun exposure/ and artificial sun, or tanning exposure. Those who make poor lifestyle choices are most likely to get cancer (other than those who are genetically prone to certain types of cancer(s) due to family Disease/Nutrition 2genetics/history).

For example, those who smoke increase their risk factor as smoking is the most preventable disease-causing factor. Diet plays a huge role in the prevention of cancer. Particular dietary habits contribute to the varying cancers in different countries. For example, colon cancer is more common in the United States than in other countries such as Japan. People tend to develop similar risks of the country in which they migrate due to lifestyle choices, dietary habits, and exposure to the new country.

Cancer-Fighting Foods (n.d.) reports:The National Cancer Institute estimates that roughly one-third of all cancer deaths may be diet-related. What you eat can hurt you, but it can also help you. Many of the common foods found in grocery stores or organic markets contain cancer-fighting properties, from the antioxidants that neutralize the damage caused by free radicals to the powerful phytochemicals that scientists are just beginning to explore. There isn't a single element in a particular food that does all the work: The best thing to do is eat a variety of foodsThe The following foods have the ability to help stave off cancer and some can even help inhibit cancer cell growth or reduce tumor size.

(Please not that these are only a few foods are listed.)Diet is used in the treatment of cancer as there are several well-established links between cancer and diet. The diet increases nutrition and adds necessary vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, fiber, along with many others to help control weight, help the body heal and rebuild, etc. Consuming plant foods with antioxidants and phytochemicals is the best way to fight cancer along with other lifestyle choices such as exercise, not smoking, and so on.

Diet may not be able to cure or control cancer but it does contribute to the decreasing of getting cancer and the rebuilding of damaged tissues and cells. It helps you feel better, have more energy, more self-esteem, and a better quality of life. By minimizing the risk of cancer, changing lifestyle habits, incorporating, medical intervention, limiting exposure to carcinogens, and other things that can increase the risk of cancer, one can help prevent, manage, minimize, and treat cancer. Diet (through adding more plant foods, reducing meat intake and processed foods, etc.) can strengthen the immune system, help the body detoxify (cleanse itself), and provide the necessary nutrients that it needs to build and rebuild.

Diet is part of the treatment process in the fight against cancer.