5 Do's & don'ts of cancer prevention - by Chuck McClung (Oct. 19, 2011)

Yes, we all know stopping smoking and not drinking alcohol in excess can reduce our risks of developing cancer, but what about cutting calories or flossing your teeth? We asked doctors for their advice on what — and what not — to do to minimize cancer risks.

Reduce body fat

“Cutting body fat certainly seems to be a way to reduce your risk,” said Dr. Craig Badolato, medical oncologist at Cancer Care Centers of Brevard in Melbourne. His assertion is backed by a 2007 study by the World Cancer Research Fund, which recommended keeping your weight on the lower end of the Body Mass Index, a formula used to calculate body fat based on height and weight. Badolato said he is a firm believer in the BMI. The report said by maintaining your index within the 20 percent to 25 percent range, you reduce your cancer risk. The high end of that range (25.1) would require a 5-foot-10 individual to weigh no more than 175 pounds. Body fat affects hormone levels, which can promote cancer cell growth, research shows. You can calculate you BMI at the National Heart Lungcq, no comma and Blood Institute at nhlbisupport.com/bmi. Bottom line: Whether you follow BMI, keeping your weight in check makes sense.

Forget the antioxidants

“There’s no strong evidence that vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and beta carotene provide a major benefit” for cancer prevention, said Dr. Ashish Dalal of the Space Coast Cancer Center. “They are harmless, but we don’t see any positive effects.” He cited a double-blind study released in 2009 involving 8,000 women monitored during nine years. The women would either take vitamin A, B and C or a placebo. The incidences of cancer were the same for all women, regardless of what they took. Badolato echoed the sentiment, specificallysingling out beta carotene. “They have been hyped, but never proven,” he said. Furthermore, a National Institute of Health-funded report this month said men who take vitamin E for prostate cancer prevention actually increase their risk of the disease by 17 percent. Bottom line: Although these supplements may have other health benefits, they will not reduce cancer risks. maybe each item should have a bottom line.

Reduce calories

“Cancer risk does go down if you cut your caloric intake by 20 percent,” said Dr. Thomas Sellers, associate center director, Cancer Prevention and Control, at Moffitt Cancer Center Institute in Tampa, one of the state’s largest cancer facilities. “The evidence is there.” One caveat: The evidence is derived from studies involving only animals. It’s only been studied in animals.

However, Sellers still believes in the findings. He conducted literature reviews involving 50 animal studies on the subject more than a decade ago. "There’s strong evidence there," he said, sort of a redundant quote. But will it ever be studied in humans?“It would be difficult for clinical trials,” he said, because it would require too large a group or take too much time.The recommended daily caloric intake typically is 2,500 for men and 2,000 for women. Could reducing those numbers by 500 and 400, respectively, cut your cancer risk? be careful of asking too many questions. Bottom line: It couldn’t hurt, and you might lose weight in the process. is this too much like the reduce body fat item?

Control heartburn

You may know someone who constantly is popping antacids to extinguish incessant heartburn. But it could be a more serious problem. “Chronic suffers who continually pop antacids” for heartburn are at a greater risk of cancer of the esophagus, said Dr. Nathan Allison, a Health First Physician and director of bariatric surgery at Viera Hospital. Chronic heartburn actually could be reflux disease. If it goes untreated, stomach acid backing up into the esophagus can cause cells in the esophagus to evolve into acid-resistant cells, he said. When this happens, it forms a growth at the end of the esophagus called Barrett’s esophagus, a precursor to cancer. Bottom line: Seek medical treatment for persistent heartburn.

Watch your mouth

Oral hygiene reveals a lot about your overall health, said Dr. Tony DiPasquale, a dentist in Melbourne. And there’s mounting evidence periodontal disease increases your risks for several cancers, including colon, neck and, of course, mouth. “They’re studying (cancers risks and periodontal disease) quite a bit,” DiPasquale said. “If your body is constantly battling bacteria (from periodontal disease), it weakens the immune system,” making you more susceptible to disease. Medical journal The Lancet reported in 2008 a substantial increase in cancer risks among periodontal patients.