Preventing Cancer

With the US Health department reminding us that processed meats, like hot dogs, can increase your risk of cancer, I decided to mention three recent articles concerning foods and cancer.

It is well known that the Mediterranean Diet (rich in vegetables, grains and olive oils - look it up) can lower your risk for heart disease. Now researchers have discovered that this diet, with use of extra virgin olive oil (not sure why it specified "extra virgin") was associated with a 40-60% lower risk in women for breast cancer. It seems the more olive oil had the lowest risk!

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD Reviewing Toledo E et al., JAMA Intern Med 2015 Sep 14;

Have you ever wondered if those insecticides sprayed in your home are dangerous? Well in a small study researchers found that children exposed to pesticides in their home (but not those sprayed outside) or herbicides that were sprayed in their lawn, caused a significantly increased risk of lymphoma and leukemia (25% for herbicides and 50% for pesticides). Something to think about!

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/136/4/719

Finally, the controversy about alcohol use continues. Many studies have shown that small amounts of alcohol daily (up to two drinks for men and one for women) probably lower our risk of heart disease, but higher amounts lose that benefit. Now researchers have found that even in light drinkers there was a small but significant increased risk of breast cancer in women - about 30-40%. In men the risk of cancer was only increased in smokers.

Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP reviewing Cao Y et al. BMJ 2015 Aug 18. Rehm J. BMJ 2015 Aug 18

So eat a proper diet, with plenty of extra virgin olive oil. Don't drink too much alcohol. Don't smoke. And don't use herbicides in your yard or pesticides in your home. I would think that the "natural" pesticides such as peppermint or chili spray, or diatomaceous earth may be OK