Essential Dietary Tips to Support Cancer Prevention and Management

Key Nutritional Guidelines for Cancer Prevention and Control

Cancer involves abnormal cell growth that can quickly spread throughout the body. With over a hundred different types, some are easier to detect and treat, while others remain hidden in early stages due to subtle symptoms. Adjusting your diet by limiting certain foods can play a vital role in cancer prevention and management.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

Red Meat
Preparation and curing processes of red meat can create carcinogenic substances like N-nitroso compounds, increasing cancer risk and potentially hindering treatment efforts.

Additionally, fried foods should be consumed minimally, as cooking at high temperatures forms acrylamide—a carcinogenic compound. Such foods can also elevate LDL cholesterol, contributing to conditions like diabetes and heart disease, which are linked to increased cancer risk.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol intake is associated with various health issues, including cancer. The liver’s detox process produces acetaldehyde, which can impair the body’s ability to fight cancer cells. Alcohol can also interfere with ongoing cancer treatments.

Some cancers, like prostate cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), are difficult to detect early. Symptoms such as urinary issues or swollen lymph nodes can be mistaken for infections, complicating early diagnosis. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can help manage and potentially alleviate symptoms of these cancers.

Medications like VENCLEXTA (Venetoclax) are also used in cancer management. This targeted oral therapy is primarily prescribed for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma, functioning as a BCL-2 inhibitor, often combined with other agents for effective treatment of specific leukemias.