A landmark international report on cancer prevention from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, titled Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective, found that around a third of all cancers are directly linked to the foods we eat, how much exercise we get, and how well we manage our weight.

Risk Factors

Alcohol

Alcohol can cause of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx, oesophagus, and breast cancer. There is convincing evidence of a link between alcohol and colorectal cancer for men, with a probable link for women as well. If people choose to drink, it is recommended that they limit themselves to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.

Processed meat

Processed meat is one of the causes of bowel cancer. Processed meat refers to any meat that is preserved by salting, curing, smoking, or adding chemical preservatives: ham, bacon, hot dogs, and some sausages, for example.

Red meat

Red meat, including beef, lamb and pork, is a cause of bowel cancer. People are recommended to eat no more than 500g of red meat per week.

Salt

Salt is a possible cause of stomach cancer. People are recommended to avoid salty foods and to consume less than 6g of salt per day.

Smoking

Smoking is the major cause of lung cancer, increasing the risk of contraction by 10 to 20 times. Smoking can also cause leukaemia and cancer of the oral/nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oesophagus, liver, stomach, cervix, kidney, bowel, and bladder. Stopping smoking early can reduce the risk of cancer to almost normal levels.

Body fat

Fat deposited around the waist is linked with bowel cancer, and can also cause postmenopausal breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, cancer of the gall bladder, and endometrial cancer.

Protective Measures

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding (exclusively, for the first 6 months) protects the mother against breast cancer, and is thought to protect the child against obesity later in life, which in turn reduces the risk of cancer.

Spring onion and garlic

Spring onion and garlic are thought to protect against bowel cancer.

Fruit

Eating a wide range of fruit is thought to protect against cancer of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx, oesophagus, lung, and stomach. It is recommended to eat at least five portions of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables every day.

Lycopene

Lycopene, which is found in tomatoes and other red fruits, is thought to protect against prostate cancer.

A simple, long-term adjustment of your diet can decrease the risk of cancer. Why not eat healthy and take care of yourself, starting with your next meal?

The Bank of East Asia ("BEA") offers a series of critical illness and medical insurance plans providing comprehensive protection, giving you added peace of mind as you keep healthy and combat the risk of cancer. For more information, please go to the BEA Insurance Services website, call the BEA Insurance Services Hotline on (852)3608 2928, or visit any BEA branch.

This article is provided by U Care Hong Kong Medical Limited.