Carrots and new potatoes could be the latest weapon in the fight against the early stages of breast cancer

The vegetables contain a nutrient – retinoic acid – which affects cell growth, proliferation and survival, a new report shows.

Retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, binds to a nuclear receptor – called RAR-beta – in humans to suppress tumours.

It may stop tumour progression early on but not later because the genetic changes related to cancer have become too severe, tests at the Fox Chase Cancer Centre in Philadelphia revealed.

‘We found that the RAR-beta gene was active in the two earliest stages of cancer but silenced in the final two stages,’ said Dr Sandra Fernandez.

‘These changes in gene activation were caused by a type of chemical modification called methylation, which involves the addition of a methyl group to DNA.

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/860089-carrots-can-help-breast-cancer-fight

BPA levels in families who ate fresh rather than canned or plastic-packaged food for three days dropped by an average of 60 percent, according to a study released today by the Breast Cancer Fund and Silent Spring Institute. Bishphenol A (or BPA), which is used to line food cans, has been linked to breast cancer, infertility, early puberty and other health problems.

The five families in the study, which was published in Environmental Health Perspectives, avoided canned foods and drinks and meals prepared outside the home in lieu of freshly prepared organic meals in glass storage containers. During the three days that the families ate the fresh food, their BPA levels dropped on average by 60 percent. When families returned to their regular diets, their BPA levels returned to the higher levels.

Phthalates, plastic-softening chemicals that can interfere with reproductive development, also dropped in participants when they ate fresh food. Levels of DEHP, a phthalate used in food containers and plastic wraps, dropped by an average of 50 percent when families were on the fresh-food diet.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robyn-griggs-lawrence/bpa-food-plastic_b_842798.html

March is National Nutrition Month, the month to celebrate healthy food choices. This year, The American Dietetic Association has chosen the theme, "Eat with Color" to bring inspiration and artistic creativity to the table.

If your plate of food is full of color, you can bet you're eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, proteins and healthy dairy products. All of these foods work in combination to provide protection against heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

The various colors found in the fruit, vegetable, legumes and grains represent a vast variety of minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals and plant nutrients, that work together to boost their individual anti-cancer effects.

In addition, these plant-based foods are low in calorie density, meaning they have lots of bulk without too many calories, resulting in protection against weight gain and obesity.

Full aritcle: http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2011/feb/28/gl_dietitian_dish_030211_130410/?news&health

Can a new diet actually prevent cancer?

Dr. Joel Fuhrman , a family physician and the author of the popular "Eat to Live" diet book, says his can. He claims that using his plan, people "can get dramatic reductions in cancer."

Fox 5's Dr. Sapna Parikh investigated whether medical science backs Fuhrman's claims.

Dr. Parikh says there is no disputing the fact that a low-fat diet that is high in vegetables is good for overall health, but calling it an anti-cancer diet may be oversimplifying.

But Fuhrman says his top five foods, which he calls his "GOMBS" list, can keep cancer away.

The "G" is for "greens." Fuhrman says cruciferous greens, like broccoli and spinach, contain isothiocyanates, a compound he says give them "the most powerful anti-cancer effects compared against almost all foods."

Full article: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/health/dr-joel-fuhrman-cancer-prevention-diet-20110228

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It has been 40 years since President Nixon launched an intensive campaign to find a cure for cancer. The National Cancer Act was signed into law in December, 1971, and broadened the scope and responsibilities of the National Cancer Institute.

The National Cancer Act increased federal funding “in order to more effectively carry out the war on cancer”, and has consumed more than 100 billion dollars in federal research monies, in allocations from all United States agencies from 1970 to the present. These funds have been matched by research investments from pharmaceutical companies, non-governmental organizations, states, co-operations, and individuals. However, the total spending to find a cure for cancer truly cannot be calculated. Estimated to be into the multi trillions of dollars.

The cancer machine, driven by dollars, works tirelessly to raise awareness of cancer, raising money for cancer screenings, money for treatments and more and more for research studies and more sophisticated equipment.

Full article: http://www.savannahtribune.com/news/2011-03-02/Health/Health_Restoration.html

International expatriate insurance customers might want to reduce the amount of red meat in their diet.

Recent research from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) has found that eating 90g of red or processed meat a day can increase the chance of developing colorectal cancer.

Instead, the committee advised consumers to lower their intake to an average of 70g a day by eating red meat less often and by having smaller portions.

This could be achieved by introducing "white meats such as chicken and turkey, fish and vegetables" into your diet, which will provide you with "good alternatives and will still deliver the iron needed in the diet".

Overseas health insurance customers can discuss concerns about colon cancer with their doctor.

Those who live in warm climates could even consider growing their own vegetables to get the freshest produce.

Expatriate Healthcare specialise in providing international health insurance. Make sure you're protected.

Full article: http://www.expatriatehealthcare.com/News/International_Healthcare_News_Lower_red_meat_intake_to_reduce_cancer_risk046

PETALING JAYA: Regular physical exercise and a plant-based diet reduces the risk of cancer even at old age, a study by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) revealed.

The Washington-based charity organisation said that one out of three American adults, aged between 50 to 71, is unaware of how aging is linked to higher cancer risks.

“Many mistakenly believe it is too late for them. We can’t control our age, but we can control cancer risks,” said AICR nutritionist Alice Bender.

The study, which involved 450,000 respondents, found that those engaged in moderate physical activity significantly lowered the risk of contracting colon cancer compared to those inactive individuals in the same age group.

 Full article: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/03/01/cancer-loves-inactivity-reveals-new-study/

KAHULUI - Half of the United States' population of men and a third of its women will develop cancer in their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society.

And, while many people believe a family history of cancer or fate will determine whether they get the disease, it's now "pretty clear" that environmental and lifestyle factors, such as smoking or excessive exposure to sun, lead to most cancers - not heredity, according to Dr. Laurence Kolonel, a Harvard Medical School-trained epidemiologist and a professor of public health at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu.

"Most people think they're doomed" because cancer runs in their families, Kolonel said. So many are surprised that fewer than 5 percent of cases of cancer stem directly from inheritance and most of those occur early in life.

While a person's genetic makeup still plays an important role in determining whether he or she will be susceptible to cancer, anyone can do much to reduce the risk by not smoking, limiting time in the sun, being physically active and eating a diet with more fruits and vegetables, Kolonel said.

Full article: http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/546405/Lifestyle--external-factors-top-causes-of-cancer.html?nav=10

Colon cancer is now the third disease-caused death in America.

A new study shows that women who take bisphosphonates have lower colon cancer risks.

The results of the study also considered the factors of using aspirin or statins, and that adding vegetables to the diet may benefit overall health as well. Still, the results showed a nearly 60 percent decrease in colon cancer risks for women who made use of bisphosphonates.

This is a long-term effect, and that it is not clear whether it is really the cause of the lowered risk for colorectal cancer.

Also, researchers explain that this is not a solution, but simply a benefit that most women receive from consuming bisphosphonates to mitigate the dangers of osteoporosis.

Full ariticle: http://www.dailyhealthreport.org/bisphosphonates-may-decrease-colon-cancer-risks-in-women-study-shows/2177/

The confusion about how much red meat is safe to eat intensified last night as Britons were warned they should cut down to reduce the risk of cancer.

Adults will be advised to eat no more than 500g a week – the equivalent of just three rashers of bacon a day.

The new guidelines drawn up by the Department of Health will confuse millions of households over how much red meat is harmful.

Only last week a British Nutrition Foundation study claimed that the majority of adults ate ‘healthy amounts’ of red meat and there was an ‘inconclusive’ link to cancer. But the latest research is expected to warn that although red meat is a valuable source of iron – an essential component of our diets – eating too much can lead to heart disease and cancer.

Full article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1359027/Red-meat-cancer-risk-So-CAN-eat.html?ito=feeds-newsxml