Build your defences against Cancer
Statistics reveal simple steps to help ‘cancer-proof’ your life
CANCER makes headlines regularly: good and bad. Topical last month was testicular cancer survivor with US cyclist Lance Armstrong winning his seventh, 2,200 mile Tour de France and the death, from lung cancer, of 49-year-old Vogue health editor, Deborah Hutton. It’s the disease that scares us most. But you don’t have to be passive about it; research shows there are ways to help protect against ‘the Big C’.
First and foremost – diet. Not as in slimming but getting those important daily five portions of fruit and vegetables. An estimated 65 per cent of women carry the catalase gene that renders free radicals in the breast harmless, cutting cancer risk by five per cent; four veggie portions power up catalase five-fold. Eat one apple a day, according to research from Cornell University, and that’s enough to cut breast cancer risk by 17 per cent in six months.
Positively overdose on ‘cancer-proofing’ cruciferous veggies like cabbage, cauliflower and much-maligned broccoli. Steaming them for 3-4 minutes releases the highest levels of sulphoraphane – linked to lowered risk of colon, breast and prostate cancers. Broccoli is also an excellent source of calcium: women eating 400mg of calcium reduce their risk of colon cancer by 26 per cent. Find calcium in dairy products, sardines, canned salmon and leafy green vegetables. Research shows that a further daily 800mg of calcium supplement doubles that reduction; Biocalth’s new formulation with L-Threonate (a bioactive metabolite of Vitamin C) comes highly recommended (00 44 1756 790009 – www.Biocalth.co.uk).
Drink red wine; scientists at Spain’s University of Santiago de Compostela found that one glass a day cuts the risk of lung cancer by 13 per cent. White wine doesn’t contain the same anti-oxidants! Teetotal? Try Antoxida (00 44 800 174545
www.turbeck.com) containing an unbeatable combination of grape seed and skin extracts, vitamins and aloe vera.
Cut down on processed foods! New research from Hawaii University suggests harmful carcinogens are formed when meat is processed; also check labels on lounza and sausages for problem ingredients like MSG.
Change your tea! South African Rooibos ‘tea’ protects against changes in cells caused by pollutants like cigarette smoke and sunlight that trigger the first stage of cancer. Eleven O’Clock Rooibos is available in Cyprus supermarkets/health stores; I prefer Red Bush (www.redbushtea.com) myself. Green tea is an acknowledged anti-oxidant, helpful in reducing the risk of colon and breast cancer. The latter isn’t confined to women: men may also develop tumours in breast tissue.
One cup of coffee daily halves the chance of liver cancer, the third most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. Too much coffee and you undo the initial good – as with excessive alcohol and ANY nicotine. If you’re still smoking – actively or passively – get serious about stopping! Don’t ignore heartburn either: a chronic sufferer is seven times more likely to develop cancer of the oesophagus. See a nutritional specialist.
Finally, sunscreens: current evidence suggests that UVA as well as UVB rays trigger skin cancer, so check pharmacies for a sunscreen offering protection from both. Fair skinned folk should use an anti-oxidant serum too: new UK product CE Ferulic has promises results (www.skinceuticals.co.uk).
Worry about cancer by all means but also take action. Lance Armstrong advocates: ‘Knowledge is power’. Check out www.lancearmstrong.com for the Armstrong Foundation info link. Read Deborah Hutton’s ‘What can I do to help?’; the book results from her determination that something good should come from her cancer. For more information do e-mail me on [email protected]
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Every year travel sickness spoils my holiday: what precautions can I take?
Miss PF, Peyia
Travel sickness is caused by excessive, repetitive stimulation of the balance organs in the inner ear. When the brain receives conflicting messages, nausea follows. Sitting in a car or a plane, your eyes send signals that you’re stationary, but your inner ear is getting movement messages. Anxiety, fear, fuggy atmosphere and fuel fumes all contribute.
Start medication before nausea develops. Try ginger; take it as tea, tincture or ginger root capsules – your local healthfood store should have a selection. Homoeopathy can be very successful: start treatment two to three times a day, two days before long-distance travel; one hour ahead for short trips. Sepia is ideal for nausea accompanied by irritability/headache and intensified by sight of food. Arsen Alb is useful if burning pains in the throat/stomach occur with nausea accompanied by restlessness, anxiety and thirst. Nux Vomica is recommended for many forms of nausea: particularly dry retching/headache when travelling. Finally try Bryonia for that ‘leave-me-alone’ wretchedness when you just want to isolate yourself. For best advice, do consult a trained homoeopath.
Stimulating the P6 acupuncture point 4cm up the arm from the wrist may relieve sickness; elasticated wristbands are available at pharmacies.
Understanding the causes of travel sickness (those conflicting inner ear messages) may help you cope. In a coach, choose a seat between the wheels and watch the scenery passing: don’t read. In planes, ask to sit in the area over the wings; at sea, stay on deck and look at the horizon. Stretch your legs when you can – move about. I also recommend Bach Rescue Remedy. Bon voyage!
l Nikki’s column appears every four weeks. Please address your questions to [email protected], PO Box 21144, Nicosia. Tel: 22 818585
