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| About this website
The aim of this website
is to promote the importance of the relationship between nutrition
and cancer, the mechanisms of this interface and the key
players; encouraging the adoption of a suitable diet to counteract
potential tumour growth.
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A Brief Introduction to Cancer
- Cancer has for long been the second highest cause of
mortality in industrialised countries, only surpassed
by cardiovascular disease, which continues to decline. The
disease affects mainly older people, with 65% of cases occurring
in those over 65. It is thought that one in three people
will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.
- The development of several common cancers results from
an intimate, but poorly understood, interaction between
endogenous and environmental factors, the most notable of
the latter being nutrition.
- Estimates suggest that approximately 35% of cancers
are a consequence of a suboptimal diet and are hence
potentially preventable, although its contribution varies
from around 10% to lung cancer to about 80% for cancer of
the prostate and large bowel. Animal studies have also shown
that a deficiency of any of the numerous nutrients needed
for life increases the risk of cancer.
- In addition, the incidence of most cancers show major
geographical variations, which make proof of the
fact that the rates of cancer can be affected by lifestyle
changes, including dietary habits. For instance, cancers
considered 'fat-related' such as large bowel, stomach,
breast and prostate, are amongst the most common in Europe,
whereas Asia accounts for the majority of cases for
gastric, liver and oesophageal cancers, which are associated
with alcohol and poor nutrition.
- Many nutritional agents have been suggested as promoting
or preventing carcinogenesis; and as a result, Americans,
Japanese, and Europeans are increasingly consuming dietary
vegetables, medicinal herbs and their extracts or
components. However, which vegetables, or which elements
are best to impede which cancers? Which foods should be
avoided?
These points will provide the main focus for this website.
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