Organic Food and Cancer Risk

Chemotherapy Advisor has just reported data from the United Kingdom's Million Women Study by Oxford University.  Beginning in 1996, it has surveyed more than 600,000 middle-aged women for twelve years.  The researchers removed from the data influences of socioeconomic status, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, parity, and consumption of alcohol, fiber and red and processed meat.  By doing so, they were able to compare two groups solely on the basis of organic food consumption, "never" and "always".

After following these women for 13 years, there was no difference in the overall risk of cancer occurrence between the two groups.  The conclusion reached was that, while there are good reasons to eat organic food, cancer prevention does not seem to be one of them.

For greater detail:  www.chemotherapyadvisor.com

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

New Year's Resolution: Lose Weight and Lower Cancer Risk!

Pancreatic Cancer

Two recent studies significantly correlate weight loss and cancer risk:

The Journal of Clinical Oncology, reported (online 10-21-2013) data from the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, from 902 patients, and the association of pancreatic cancer survival and prediagnostic BMI.

Researchers found a significantly higher risk of death from pancreatic cancer for patients with BMI>35 kg/m (obesity) than those with a BMI of less than 25.  It is theorized that chronic alterations in systemic metabolism, associated with obesity, are the reason.

Belly Fat

A study from the Mayo Clinic, reported in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology systematically reviewed and (meta) analyzed the association between belly fat (central adiposity) and esophageal inflammation, metaplasia and adenocarcinoma.

Researchers found that, compared with patients with normal physique, those with increased belly fat (the amount of belly fat was independent from the patient's BMI and also from the existence of gastroesophageal reflux disease {GERD}),  had significantly increased risk of esophageal inflammation, erosion and cancer.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Oral Cancer Ups Suicide Risk

Cancers combined for men, women, and children continued to decline in the United States between 2004 and 2008, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as reported in the May 2012 issue of the journal CANCER. 

The overall rate of new cancer diagnoses (or incidence) among men decreased by an average of 0.6% per year between 2004 and 2008; and for women by 0.5% per year from 1998 to 2006, with level rates from 2006 to 2008.  The special feature section highlights the effects of excess weight and lack of physical activity on cancer risk.  Esophageal adenocarcinoma, cancers of the colon and rectum, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer among postmenopausal women are associated with being overweight or obese.  Several of these cancers also are associated with not being sufficiently physically active.  For more than 30 years, excess weight, insufficient physical activity, and an unhealthy diet have been second only to tobacco as preventable causes of disease and death in the United States.  The journal notes that continued progress against cancer in the United States will require individual and community efforts to promote healthy weight and sufficient physical activity among youth and adults. 


Source:  CDC, March 28, 2012   


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Men's Cardiovascular Fitness in Middle Age and Cancer Risk

A 20 year study reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting documents that cardiovascular fitness in middle-aged and older men is a strong independent predictor of the risk of developing lung and colorectal cancer and is a definite predictor of mortality rates from lung, colorectal and prostate cancer.

The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study followed over 17,000 men and measured their fitness by walking on a treadmill.  The treadmill exercise test was more predictive than body weight.  Significant reduction in cancer risk and cancer mortality rates were noted  with increased fitness level.

For more detailed information, see:  www.chemotherapyadvisor.com

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309