Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It occurs when an abnormal cell starts multiplying rapidly in the body. Cancer can start almost anywhere, including breast, prostate, lungs, liver, or blood. While no particular food can cause or eliminate cancer, consuming and avoiding certain foods can reduce the risk of developing the disease and help fight it. Here are foods to eat and avoid for cancer, along with some medications and treatment options.
Eat: Fatty fish
Fatty fish are full of omega-3 fatty acids. These are healthy fats that have proven to reduce inflammation. Loading up on fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and herring can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and prostate cancer.
Avoid: Alcohol
The body releases acetaldehyde when processing alcohol. This chemical contributes to the development of cancerous tumors. Alcohol is linked to several cancers, including breast, liver, esophageal, and liver. It is vital to cut down, if possible eliminate, alcohol significantly.
Eat: Green tea
Green tea is chock-full of powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), have been shown to possess cancer-fighting properties. Sipping green tea every day can prevent liver, lung, esophageal, skin, breast, and pancreatic cancer.
Avoid: Processed meat
The problem with processed meat is that it is preserved by smoking, salting, curing, or canning. These preservation methods involve adding chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer like colorectal and stomach cancer.
Eat: Tomatoes
Tomatoes are best for reducing the risk of prostate and lung cancer. That’s because they contain a strong antioxidant called lycopene. Make sure to include tomatoes in sandwiches, salads, sauces, or stir-fried dishes.
Avoid: Sugary-foods
Sugar can boost inflammation and increase the risk of numerous types of cancer. They can also cause obesity, increasing the likelihood of colorectal, breast, kidney, and pancreatic, among other forms of cancer. Steer clear of sodas, cakes, cookies, and ice cream to lower sugar consumption.
Medications and therapies for cancer
Today, many medications are available to treat breast, liver, blood, and various other types of cancers. Rubraca, an FDA-approved prescription medication, is used to treat ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer. Other popular cancer medications developed by top pharmaceutical companies include Avastin, Abraxane, Revlimid, Keytruda, and Imbruvka.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is becoming increasingly popular as a cancer treatment option. It works by modifying T-cell, a type of white blood cell, in the lab so it can destroy cancer cells. The therapy is used currently to treat certain forms of lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system, a type of leukemia, and multiple myeloma).
Other medications include:
Neulasta (pegfilgrastim)
Neulasta can prevent a lack of certain white blood cells, reducing the risk of infections. Low levels of white blood cells can occur as a result of cancer treatment like chemotherapy.
Imbruvica (ibrutinib)
Imbruvica is prescribed to adults with various forms of lymphoma and leukemia, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, and chronic graft versus host disease. It’s an oral medication that is usually taken once daily.
Venclexta
This prescription medication can treat adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). In combination with certain other medications, Venclexta can also help treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
In 2021, the FDA approved Lumakras (sotorasib) as cancer therapy options for patients who have a specific type of genetic mutation called KRAS G12C. This type of genetic mutation is observed in approximately 25% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.