Are these 7 habits increasing your risk of cancer? A cancer dietitian reveals all
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Disclaimer: This article is not professional medical advice. Always consult with a doctor before making significant lifestyle changes.
Cancer is a word that strikes fear into the hearts of many. It's a disease that has touched almost everyone in some way, either directly or indirectly. While there's no surefire way to prevent it, certain lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk.
Nichole Andrews, an oncology dietitian with over a decade of experience, has dedicated her career to helping cancer survivors navigate their nutritional needs. She's also the author of the bestselling book Sugar Does Not Feed Cancer.
In a recent video, she shared seven lifestyle changes that could potentially reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Avoid (1) tobacco and (2) alcohol
Nichole shared: ‘You probably heard tobacco but not alcohol—any consumption of any type of alcohol, any amount, will increase your risk of six cancers.’
The Cancer Council Victoria stated in their online resource: ‘Alcohol and tobacco are considered to be the two most important risk factors for head and neck cancers. Since people who smoke often drink, alcohol consumption levels affect the extent of risk associated with smoking.’
Another study affirmed the effects of tobacco and alcohol consumption on cancer risk. It concluded: ‘A considerable proportion of cancer cases are attributable to smoking and high alcohol consumption. More rigorous prevention efforts are required to achieve significant reductions in the prevalence of these risk factors and the attributable cancer burden.’
(3) Stay active
‘Number three is an inactive lifestyle, if you are never exercising and not moving very much—you're increasing your cancer risk. Let's get moving,’ Nichole stated.
This is something that Cancer Australia has expressed in the research published on the government website. The conclusion said: ‘At least one-third and potentially more than half of all cancers could be prevented through a combination of healthy lifestyle and regular screening.’
(4) Limit high-dose supplements
Nichole explained, ‘If you take over 200 per cent daily value of a bunch of supplements that you do not need, these become free radicals and increase cancer risk.'
An article on the Cancer Council New South Wales website backs up this claim. It said, ‘Cancer Council recommends people eat a variety of nutritious foods, especially fruit and vegetables, instead of individual nutrients in supplement form.’
It elaborated further, ‘Currently, the only evidence to suggest that supplements (e.g. tablets, capsules) can reduce cancer risk is for calcium supplements. There is probable evidence that taking calcium supplements of more than 200 mg per day protects against bowel cancer.’
(5) Limit processed meat and red meat
‘Processed meats increase cancer risk, and a high intake of red meats does as well,’ Nichole claimed.
According to Cancer Council New South Wales, ‘The World Health Organization has classified processed meats including ham, bacon, salami and frankfurts as a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) which means that there’s strong evidence that processed meats cause cancer.’
‘Eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer. Red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork, has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen, which means it probably causes cancer,’ they added.
The Cancer Council also gave recommendations on how to lower the risk of cancer, which included ‘eating no more than 1 serve of lean red meat per day or 2 serves 3-4 times per week’ and cutting out ‘processed meats altogether or keep them to an absolute minimum’.
(6) Maintain a healthy weight
Nichole expressed the importance of healthy weight, saying, ‘If you have excess body fat tissue on your body, you will increase risk of 13 cancers.’
The Cancer Council declared on their website: ‘Evidence now shows that being overweight or obese is the cause for nearly 5,300 cancer cases in Australia each year.’
They advised, ‘Cutting down your weight will reduce your cancer risk.’
(7) Eat more plant foods
‘And lastly, if you don't eat enough plant foods or have a low plant-based diet, include more plant food diets to reduce the risk,’ Nichole shared.
Dietitians Australia claimed that plant-based foods ‘protect against a host of cancers as they provide many important phytonutrients. There’s a strong link between an increase in their consumption and reduced cancer risk.’
Nichole's advice has been met with gratitude from her followers, many of whom have been seeking reliable information on reducing their cancer risk.
‘Great information. I have been learning a lot from you. Thanks,’ one follower wrote.
In addition to these seven tips, Nichole advised: ‘Not only can you modify these seven areas of your life to reduce risk, but you can also ADD in so many amazing foods to enjoy and eat daily to reduce your risk as well.’
You can watch her video here:
Remember, it's always important to consult with a healthcare professional before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle. They can provide personalised advice based on your individual health needs and circumstances.
What do you think of these tips, members? Have you made any of these changes in your own life? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Cancer is a word that strikes fear into the hearts of many. It's a disease that has touched almost everyone in some way, either directly or indirectly. While there's no surefire way to prevent it, certain lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk.
Nichole Andrews, an oncology dietitian with over a decade of experience, has dedicated her career to helping cancer survivors navigate their nutritional needs. She's also the author of the bestselling book Sugar Does Not Feed Cancer.
In a recent video, she shared seven lifestyle changes that could potentially reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Avoid (1) tobacco and (2) alcohol
Nichole shared: ‘You probably heard tobacco but not alcohol—any consumption of any type of alcohol, any amount, will increase your risk of six cancers.’
The Cancer Council Victoria stated in their online resource: ‘Alcohol and tobacco are considered to be the two most important risk factors for head and neck cancers. Since people who smoke often drink, alcohol consumption levels affect the extent of risk associated with smoking.’
Nichole claimed that avoiding alcohol and tobacco can reduce cancer risk. Credit: Valiant Made/Unsplash
Another study affirmed the effects of tobacco and alcohol consumption on cancer risk. It concluded: ‘A considerable proportion of cancer cases are attributable to smoking and high alcohol consumption. More rigorous prevention efforts are required to achieve significant reductions in the prevalence of these risk factors and the attributable cancer burden.’
(3) Stay active
‘Number three is an inactive lifestyle, if you are never exercising and not moving very much—you're increasing your cancer risk. Let's get moving,’ Nichole stated.
This is something that Cancer Australia has expressed in the research published on the government website. The conclusion said: ‘At least one-third and potentially more than half of all cancers could be prevented through a combination of healthy lifestyle and regular screening.’
(4) Limit high-dose supplements
Nichole explained, ‘If you take over 200 per cent daily value of a bunch of supplements that you do not need, these become free radicals and increase cancer risk.'
An article on the Cancer Council New South Wales website backs up this claim. It said, ‘Cancer Council recommends people eat a variety of nutritious foods, especially fruit and vegetables, instead of individual nutrients in supplement form.’
It elaborated further, ‘Currently, the only evidence to suggest that supplements (e.g. tablets, capsules) can reduce cancer risk is for calcium supplements. There is probable evidence that taking calcium supplements of more than 200 mg per day protects against bowel cancer.’
(5) Limit processed meat and red meat
‘Processed meats increase cancer risk, and a high intake of red meats does as well,’ Nichole claimed.
According to Cancer Council New South Wales, ‘The World Health Organization has classified processed meats including ham, bacon, salami and frankfurts as a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) which means that there’s strong evidence that processed meats cause cancer.’
‘Eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer. Red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork, has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen, which means it probably causes cancer,’ they added.
The Cancer Council also gave recommendations on how to lower the risk of cancer, which included ‘eating no more than 1 serve of lean red meat per day or 2 serves 3-4 times per week’ and cutting out ‘processed meats altogether or keep them to an absolute minimum’.
(6) Maintain a healthy weight
Nichole expressed the importance of healthy weight, saying, ‘If you have excess body fat tissue on your body, you will increase risk of 13 cancers.’
The Cancer Council declared on their website: ‘Evidence now shows that being overweight or obese is the cause for nearly 5,300 cancer cases in Australia each year.’
They advised, ‘Cutting down your weight will reduce your cancer risk.’
(7) Eat more plant foods
‘And lastly, if you don't eat enough plant foods or have a low plant-based diet, include more plant food diets to reduce the risk,’ Nichole shared.
Dietitians Australia claimed that plant-based foods ‘protect against a host of cancers as they provide many important phytonutrients. There’s a strong link between an increase in their consumption and reduced cancer risk.’
Nichole's advice has been met with gratitude from her followers, many of whom have been seeking reliable information on reducing their cancer risk.
‘Great information. I have been learning a lot from you. Thanks,’ one follower wrote.
In addition to these seven tips, Nichole advised: ‘Not only can you modify these seven areas of your life to reduce risk, but you can also ADD in so many amazing foods to enjoy and eat daily to reduce your risk as well.’
You can watch her video here:
Remember, it's always important to consult with a healthcare professional before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle. They can provide personalised advice based on your individual health needs and circumstances.
What do you think of these tips, members? Have you made any of these changes in your own life? Share your experiences in the comments below.
