Cancer, characterized by the abnormal and rapid growth of cells in the body, can rapidly spread and invade other parts of the body. There are more than a hundred different types of cancers, and while some are more easily managed and diagnosed, others are not as easily detected due to a lack of definitive symptoms, especially in the early stages. That said, avoiding certain foods can help prevent and manage cancer better.
Foods to avoid to prevent and manage cancer
Some foods that should be avoided to prevent and manage cancer are mentioned below:
Red meat
The processes involved in curing and preparing red meat produce carcinogenic chemicals such as N-nitroso compounds. These increase one’s risk of developing cancer and interfere with the treatment methods involved in managing and treating cancer.
Fried foods
Cooking foods at higher temperatures leads to the formation of a carcinogenic compound called acrylamide. Moreover, fried foods can increase LDL cholesterol, leading to type 2 diabetes, accumulation of visceral fat, and cardiovascular issues, all of which can cause cancer.
Alcohol
Alcohol is known to cause a large number of health conditions, including cancer. The liver is responsible for the detoxification of the blood after the intake of alcohol. The byproducts formed due to this are acetaldehydes, which prevent the body from fighting cancer cells. Alcohol can also interfere with the medication or treatment that one may be undergoing to manage cancer.
Certain types of cancers that are hard to detect in the early stages can rapidly spread to other parts of the body, and following a healthy meal plan can help alleviate their symptoms. Some of these hard-to-diagnose cancers are mentioned below.
Cancers that are not diagnosed in the early stages
Prostate cancer, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) are hard to diagnose in the early stages. Some signs of prostate cancer are a weak urinary system and urine retention. Studies show that heavy alcohol drinkers are twice as likely to have advanced prostate cancer than moderate drinkers. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma are categorized by early symptoms like fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Since these are also common signs of mild infections, diagnosing these cancers in the initial stages can be difficult.
Along with avoiding foods, a medication like VENCLEXTA can also help manage cancer.
VENCLEXTA for managing cancer
VENCLEXTA, the brand name for Venetoclax HER2 MBC, is an oral prescription medicine that acts as a type of targeted treatment. It is mainly used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma and acts as a BCL-2 inhibitor. It is usually given with azacitidine, decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine for early-stage acute myeloid leukemia (AML).