Education
Anti-cancer diet – is there a miracle diet?
Society's growing awareness of the impact of lifestyle on health means that when we are at increased risk of cancer or when we experience oncological disease in our immediate environment, we look for a way to help protect ourselves against cancer. In addition to realizing the need for early diagnosis, one of the first associations is often a change in the current lifestyle, including eating habits. And rightly so, because according to data published by the World Health Organization, as many as 30-40% of all cancer cases could be avoided by giving up stimulants (nicotine, alcohol), improving the quality of the diet, increasing physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight. The Cancer Research Foundation (WCRF) also drew attention to dietary factors as important in cancer prevention, which devoted as many as 8 out of 10 main recommendations for cancer prevention to elements related to diet. Similarly, the World Cancer Report 2020 emphasizes that both the quantity (e.g. energy value, dietary fiber content) and the quality of consumed food products and meals are important in dietary cancer prevention. Is there one universal anti-cancer diet model? When looking for the answer to this question, many people get lost in the thicket of information available on the Internet or popular mass media. A large number of publications on this topic, repeated dietary myths and nutritional recommendations not supported by scientific evidence make it difficult to decide on the optimal diet. It also happens that you may come across nutritional recommendations that are not only unjustified, but may even pose a threat to the health of the people using them, such as in the case of highly restrictive diets that eliminate selected dietary macronutrients or significantly deviate from the principles of the so-called rational nutrition. Therefore, first of all, it should be clearly noted that an anti-cancer diet is a way of eating that, on the one hand, provides ingredients with a potential protective effect, and on the other - limits or even eliminates those with proven carcinogenic effects. This is a diet model that is not specific and limited only to cancer, but serves to improve the health of the general population, e.g., at the same time protects against the development of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, or type 2 diabetes. In contrast, highly individualized dietary assumptions support for oncological therapy (because there is no diet that in itself "cures cancer"), the main principles of the anti-cancer diet apply in many clinical situations, can be used by a wide range of recipients and, importantly, are safe. Principles of an anti-cancer diet in a nutshell The current state of scientific knowledge allows us to conclude that the most beneficial in this respect is a diet pattern based mainly on plant products, rich in whole grain products, non-starchy vegetables, fruits and legumes. Plant products are the main source of substances with anti-carcinogenic properties and reducing the risk of recurrence - dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, and bioactive natural substances, including: phytoestrogens, polyphenols, phytosterols and monoterpenes. WCRF recommends that plant products be consumed in at least 5 main meals and that their amount per day should not be less than 400g. In the case of dietary fiber, its daily intake should not be lower than 30g. According to WCRF, animal products should be significantly restricted in the diet - mainly red meat. Its consumption should not exceed 3 servings per week (350-500 grams per week). The consumption of processed meat should be reduced to the minimum necessary, and if possible, this type of food products should be completely excluded from the diet. In fact, the anti-cancer diet does not involve giving up dairy products, poultry or fish, but it clearly indicates that their share in the daily menu cannot dominate the amount of plant products. Similarly to a "healthy, rational diet", people who want to reduce the risk of cancer are recommended to significantly limit or even give up the consumption of processed foods high in saturated and trans fats and sugar. Excluding sweetened drinks from the diet is another feature of the anti-cancer diet. These drinks, by providing simple sugars, also increase the amount of calories consumed and result in an increase in body fat. Many previous studies have proven that some cancers, including cancer of the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, large intestine, breast and endometrium, may result from excess body weight, hence it is also important to ensure that the energy value of the diet was tailored to the real needs of the body. In the case of alcohol, complete abstinence is recommended. Bearing in mind that no food product contains all potentially anticarcinogenic ingredients, make sure to diversify your diet. Only by eating a variety of foods can you provide complementary ingredients with anti-cancer potential. To sum up, it is worth emphasizing once again that there is no single, ideal for everyone and 100% effective model of an anti-cancer diet, but there is strong evidence that a diet based on products of plant origin (various colored vegetables and fruits, whole grain products, legumes) , in which the supply of meat (especially red), processed products (e.g. instant food, fast food, rich in E-additives), simple sugars and alcohol is eliminated, may protect against the development of cancer. The goal of effective dietary health prevention is to permanently improve eating behavior, so when looking for the perfect anti-cancer diet, do not expect a "miracle diet", but focus on a well-thought-out, rational one, tailored to your capabilities and goals, and long-term improvement of eating habits in the direction of the principles described above. Małgorzata Moszak World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research. Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective. Continuous Update Project Expert Report 2018 Key TJ, Bradbury KE, Perez-Cornago A, et al. Diet, nutrition, and cancer risk: what do we know and what is the way forward? BMJ. 2020 Mar 5;368:m511. Wild CP, Weiderpass E, Stewart BW, editors (2020). World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: http://publications.iarc.fr/586. License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGO.
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The importance of screening tests in detecting digestive system cancers
Digestive system cancers pose a serious threat to the health and life of patients around the world. Their early detection is crucial for effective treatment and improved prognosis. In this article, we will discuss the importance of screening tests in detecting digestive system cancers and present the most important screening methods used in medical practice. Screening tests aim to detect cancers at an early stage, when they do not cause symptoms or are non-specific. Thanks to this, there is a greater chance of effective treatment and improving the patient's prognosis. Here are some of the most important screening tests used to detect digestive system cancers: Colonoscopy One of the most effective screening tests for detecting colorectal cancer. It involves inserting a flexible endoscope through the anus, which allows visualization of the interior of the large intestine. During the examination, polyps can be detected, which can lead to colon cancer. If found, they may be removed during examination or samples taken for further histological evaluation. Test for the presence of occult blood in stool This test examines a stool sample for the presence of blood, which cannot be seen with the naked eye. The presence of occult blood may indicate the presence of polyps or tumors in the large intestine. A positive test result usually requires further diagnostics, such as a colonoscopy. Gastroscopy This is a test that allows visualization of the inside of the esophagus, stomach and upper section of the small intestine using a flexible endoscope inserted through the esophagus. Gastroscopy can help detect, for example, stomach cancer. During the examination, tissue samples may also be taken for further histological evaluation and biopsy specimens may be tested for Helicobacter pylori infection. Imaging examination Imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to detect digestive system cancers such as pancreatic cancer. These techniques enable accurate visualization of internal organs and can help identify tumors, assess their size and distribution. The above imaging tests are accurate and objective, but their availability is limited. A more common solution is an ultrasound examination, which, although its accuracy depends on the skill of the person performing it, can serve as a preliminary screening test before qualifying for CT or MRI. Screening is recommended for people at increased risk of developing digestive system cancers, such as those with a family history of cancer, existing risk factors, or certain symptoms. Regular screening can help detect cancer at an early stage, which in turn increases the chance of effective treatment and improved prognosis. Therefore, it is clear that screening tests play a key role in detecting digestive system cancers at an early stage. Methods such as colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test, gastroscopy and imaging enable the identification of cancer lesions and polyps, which enables early treatment. People at increased risk should get screened regularly as recommended by their doctor. Public education and awareness of the importance of screening are crucial for the prevention and early detection of digestive system cancers. Adam Trzciński
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The role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer
Gastrointestinal cancers constitute a serious health problem worldwide. Diagnosing them is extremely important to detect the disease early and provide patients with appropriate treatment. Nowadays, endoscopy plays a key role in the detection and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. In this article, I will discuss the role of endoscopy in these areas from the perspective of a gastroenterologist. Endoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that allows direct viewing of the inside of the digestive tract. Using a flexible speculum (endoscope), the doctor can view the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine. If cancer is suspected, endoscopy allows visualization of the tumor, assessment of its location, size, shape and characteristic features. Additionally, during endoscopy, tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken for histopathological examination, which allows confirming or excluding the presence of cancer. Endoscopy can also be used to detect pre-cancerous lesions, such as colon polyps, which can develop into full-fledged cancers. Removing these lesions during endoscopy (polypectomy) can prevent the development of cancer. Additionally, endoscopy can be used to assess the extent of the tumor and assess the infiltration into adjacent tissues and lymph nodes, which is necessary when planning treatment. Endoscopy also plays an important role in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. In some cases, when the cancer is early and limited to the mucosa or submucosa, it can be removed using endoscopic techniques. For example, for early-stage colorectal cancer, endoscopic techniques such as endoscopic submucosal resection (ESD) may be used. These procedures allow the tumor to be removed without the need for open surgery. Additionally, endoscopy can be used to insert prostheses to unblock narrowed sections of the digestive tract caused by developing cancer. These prostheses enable the proper flow of food and alleviate symptoms such as swallowing difficulties. After treatment for gastrointestinal cancers, endoscopy plays an important role in monitoring patients. Regular endoscopic check-ups allow you to assess the effectiveness of treatment, check for disease recurrence and detect any recurrence or complications early. To sum up - endoscopy is an extremely important diagnostic and therapeutic technique in the case of gastrointestinal cancers. Thanks to it, it is possible to detect the disease earlier, more precisely assess the extent of the tumor and its characteristic features, and provide effective treatment. Gastroenterologists play a key role in performing endoscopy, interpreting the results, and making appropriate therapeutic decisions to improve the patient's condition and combat gastrointestinal cancers. Adam Trzciński
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