Vitamin D may lower colon cancer risk

BY LENA HUANG | JANUARY 28, 2010

People with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood may have a reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer, says research published this week online from the British Medical Journal.

The study, part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), followed 1248 patients who developed colorectal cancer and compared them to 1248 patients who did not develop the cancer. Researchers found that patients who had the highest pre-cancer concentrations of vitamin D in their blood had about a 40 percent lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

In an interview with Reuters, EPIC investigator Mazda Jenab, PhD, said although the findings showed lower risk, "... this has to be balanced with caution regarding the potential toxic effects of too much vitamin D and the fact that very little is known about the association of vitamin D with either increased or reduced risk of other cancers."

Jenab added, "the key take home message for colorectal cancer prevention is: stop smoking, increase physical activity, reduce obesity and abdominal fatness, and limit intakes of alcohol and red and processed meats."

The EPIC study is one of the largest studies on how diet and health can impact the incidence of cancer. From 1992 to 1999, the EPIC study recruited over a half a million people in ten European countries to participate. Many findings have emerged from the study including research showing an increased risk of breast cancer in obese adults and research showing an increased risk of colon cancer in people who consume larger quantities of red and/or processed meats. For more information on the EPIC study, click here.

Breast cancer survivors needed

BY LENA HUANG | JANUARY 22, 2010

It's been reported that more than half of survivors feel they didn't have all the information they needed to transition from treatment into survivorship. Many organizations are trying to address this need, especially as the population of survivors continues to grow.

Army of Women is one organization that is tackling this issue by sponsoring a study to understand the best way to empower breast cancer survivors with the information they need. The "Pathways to Recovery After Breast Cancer" study is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service and the Army of Women to find out the best way to provide post-treatment education. They are looking for 1000 participants, but only have about 600 registered, so if you want to help, here are the qualifications:

•You were diagnosed with Stage I, II, or III breast cancer.

•You have completed your primary breast cancer treatment within the last six months OR are about to complete treatment within the next month. "Primary" treatment includes surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiation. Although it is not required that you are taking any drugs, women who have completed or are about to complete primary treatment, but are taking Herceptin, Tamoxifen, and other such drugs, are eligible.

•You have never been diagnosed with another cancer (breast cancer is the only invasive cancer you have had).

•You are over 18 years old.

•You are able to speak and understand English.

•You live in the United States.

•You have access to a computer.

If you qualify, sign up here.

And if you don't qualify but are interested in other studies, check out the "current studies" on the Army of Women website. Every little bit helps in the battle against cancer.

Help for New Year's resolutions

BY LENA HUANG | JANUARY 7, 2010

Did you make any New Year's resolutions? I polled some of my friends and most of their resolutions involved eating better and/or exercise. I'm in there as well, always trying to focus more on nutrition and sticking to my exercise routine.

But not even two weeks into the year, and I'm already whining. It's been colder than usual here in Dallas, so in the morning the last thing I want to do is leave my warm bed for a freezing cold drive to an overcrowded gym.

So in looking for some inspiration, I noticed our federal government sponsors many online tools and offers information that can help toward the goal of a healthier lifestyle. And to top it off, they are all free. Here are some:

At www.fitness.gov, you can read about the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, learn about the Council's guidelines on physical activity, and find tools and programs to help you start your own exercise routine.

The www.mypyramid.gov website covers the new food pyramid and can create a personalized nutrition plan. The MyPyramid Tracker helps you to track your nutrition and fitness goals. And parents, this website also has information on nutrition for children.

To increase our intake of fruits and vegetables, government organizations along with many nonprofits created www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov. This website has a tool to tell you how much fruit and vegetables you need based on your weight and exercise level. It also has recipes and nutritional information.

I'm supposed to eat two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables a day. One way to do that is to get into the locavore movement. Locavores are people who eat foods grown locally for a variety of reasons, such as having fresher food with better nutritional value, not supporting shipped and processed foods which burn fuel in production and transportation, and helping local farmers as well as sustaining local economies. You can find out more about your local farmer at this government website. You can also search for a farmer's market close to you with this tool.

The www.nutrition.gov website aggregates nutrition and food information across federal agencies, so there is a range of information from nutrition and weight management to the latest government nutrition news (like did you know January 4-10 is folic acid awareness week?).

Happy New Year and I hope these tools and information help you on the path of a healthier you, resolution or not!

Rebounding from breast cancer

BY LENA HUANG | DECEMBER 15, 2009

If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and are looking for an opportunity to get some exercise and meet other breast cancer survivors, I recently read about a free program called "Healing With Basketball." This program is sponsored by The George Washington University Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer Survivorship.

The program is the brainchild of psychotherapist and survivor Lynn Grodzki and certified personal trainer Andrew Weiss. After Grodzki had a bilateral mastectomy, she wanted an exercise to help rebuild her upper body strength. So she trained with Weiss and modified his "basketball boot camp" for breast cancer survivors. The program helps to build strength and endurance through basketball drills and other exercises. It also provides a "team" of survivors to share information and stories with in a supportive environment.

You don't need a background in basketball to join. However, you do need permission from your doctor to participate to ensure that you are ready for physical activity. The clinics are held on Saturday afternoons at the GWU Mt. Vernon Campus. For more information, call (202) 994-3972, or check out their website.

Lifestyle and prostate cancer

BY LENA HUANG | NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Two studies released this month shed light on how health and nutrition can affect prostate cancer patients. One study involved the impact of exercise and the other looked at red and processed meat consumption.

In "Can Men Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer Through Lifestyle Changes?" published in the Journal of Urology, researchers examined 190 men who underwent prostate biopsy at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In that group, researchers found that men who exercised moderately, such as walking three to six hours a week, were less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Researchers also found that of the men who were diagnosed, those who exercised had a lower risk of high-grade disease.

In another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers at the National Cancer Institute followed more than 175,000 men for nine years and found that men whose diets were high in red meat and processed meat had increased risks for developing prostate cancer at any stage. Further, researchers looked at cooking methods and found that men who ate meats cooked at high temperatures, such as with grilling and barbecuing, were also linked to increased risk for prostate cancer. A similar connection was found between men whose diets were high in nitrates, which are chemicals used to preserve and cure meats, such as bacon and ham. For more on this topic and ways to grill healthier, check out my article "Good Grilling."

While additional studies need to be completed on these topics, these studies provide more evidence that changes in lifestyle can influence our risk of certain cancers. And this is a powerful message--that we can make choices and change behaviors that may give us a better chance not get to cancer, and many other diseases, in the future.

Curry and cancer

BY LENA HUANG | NOVEMBER 2, 2009

I often get calls or e-mails from friends wondering about natural cures for cancer that they have read in the news or heard about from other friends or family. And while some are hoaxes, there are also some that are backed by exciting research. Many natural ingredients are the basis for chemotherapies that we use today.

The call I got recently was about curry, more specifically turmeric, a spice in curry that provides that vibrant yellow color. Last week the British Journal of Cancer published a study that showed curcumin (a molecule in turmeric) began to kill esophageal cancer cells within 24 hours after exposure in lab tests.

Although these findings are based only on laboratory results and not human trials, they are part of a growing body of research on curcumin's effect on cancer cells. Other in vitro and animal studies have shown similar cancer-fighting properties, including effects on colon cancer and promyelocytic leukemia cells. Currently, there are over a dozen clinical trials examining curcumin as a treatment alone or combined with other therapies.

However, like other antioxidants, turmeric seems to counteract the effects of some chemotherapies. Patients on Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) are advised to limit their intake of turmeric due to the possibility of interference. Also, there are questions regarding the dosage of curcumin, as well as its weakened effect after ingestion.

So before you load up on curry, ask your doctor or nurse if it hinders any medications you are on. And if you get a green light, enjoy this tasty, versatile spice, and hopefully we'll hear more about its cancer-fighting abilities through these latest clinical trials. It may not be a cure for cancer, but it is certainly a wonderful addition to any pantry.

Treating depression in older cancer patients

BY LENA HUANG | OCTOBER 22, 2009

Depression in older cancer patients is unfortunately common and often goes unrecognized and untreated. The American Cancer Society estimates about 1 in 4 people with cancer may have clinical depression, that is, not just having a bad day but feeling distress that impairs daily life and that lasts for several weeks or more. This is a problem because depressed cancer patients may feel less motivated to follow treatment plans, may not eat well or exercise, and may not care about getting better.

However, there is hope, according to results published this week in the Journal of General Internal Medicine from the Improving Mood-Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment (IMPACT) study. Cancer patients were divided into two groups, one receiving IMPACT and the other receiving usual care. After six months, 55 percent of IMPACT patients showed a 50 percent or greater reduction in depressive symptoms. Of the usual care patients, about 34 percent showed a reduction in symptoms. In addition, IMPACT patients experienced greater remission rates, less fatigue, more depression-free days, and greater quality of life than the usual care patients.

The IMPACT program differs from usual care in that participants work with a depression care manager in their primary care provider's office or clinic. The depression care manager provides counseling, medication, or a combination of both to the patient and is supervised by a psychiatrist and the primary care physician. The IMPACT program was tested across the country in primary care facilities that serve a variety of socioeconomic and ethnic populations.

With the growing number of older cancer patients and survivors, it is important to have options, especially outside specialized cancer centers. Hopefully, results from the IMPACT study will increase the availability of depression care managers in primary care facilities, which will result in more patients and survivors being treated for this serious medical condition.

Energy balance and cancer

BY LENA HUANG | OCTOBER 13, 2009

Last week I attended a "first of its kind" conference on energy balance held at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. This was a "first" because it brought together researchers from many disciplines, from nutrition and exercise to genetics and psychology, who study how their specialty relates to energy balance and cancer.

The term energy balance simply defined is the balance between the energy we take in, generally through food and drink, and the energy we use, generally through physical activity and metabolism. But other factors, such as genetics, weight, psychosocial influences, and the effects of certain foods on the body, also contribute to energy balance.

The study of energy balance and cancer is a focus of the National Cancer Institute, a sponsor of the conference, because of studies linking being overweight or obese to increases in certain types of cancer, such as postmenopausal breast cancer, colon cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and endometrial cancer. This is a national concern because nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population is considered overweight or obese.

Research at the conference covered a lot of ground. I listened to researchers who presented studies in rat models that showed calorie restriction and increases in physical activity resulted in leaner animals that lived longer and had fewer tumors. There were studies presented on specific cancers and obesity, mostly focused on postmenopausal breast cancer. Research in other cancers, such as colorectal and prostate, were discussed, but also realized was the need to increased funding to research cancers that may get less attention.

I learned there will be a lot of interesting research coming out in the next year or so in this area, and I will continue to keep you updated. Until then, I am sure many of you wonder what you can do, a subject that was discussed at this conference as well. Until more specific recommendations are made, try to stick to the government's suggestions to exercise at least 150 minutes a week, to maintain a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, and to eat a healthy diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meats. For more recommendations, check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid website and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' guidelines for exercise.

I'll have pineapple with that

BY LENA HUANG | OCTOBER 1, 2009

A couple of months ago, I wrote a blog about the importance of drinking water, especially for cancer patients. One of our readers asked a question that I thought was important as it could help people increase their water intake. "Adrienne" asked if adding fresh mint, ginger or honey to purified water makes a difference.

This is a question I've wanted to know the answer to so I contacted Milton Stokes, MPH, CDN, who is a registered dietitian and owner of One Source Nutrition, a nutritional consulting and counseling firm. Milton also sits on the board of CURE magazine.

Here's what Milton said if you missed it: "As a Registered Dietitian, I always counsel my clients to tweak/alter beverages (and foods) to fit their individual preferences. So if you like mint and ginger in your water--I certainly do!--then go for it. Whatever gets you to your goal. And your add-ins may help digestion, which is another bonus! If you need some sweetness, honey is fine. Just hone in on what "a little" really means. Is it a lengthy squirt from the bear-shaped container? Or are we talking a teaspoon? While honey provides antioxidants, it also delivers calories. So if you're trying to lose weight, you may wish to minimize or skip the honey. Another option: sliced oranges or berries in the water. That's your call. Just glad you're focused on hydration."

I've put citrus in my water before, but I hadn't tried berries so I sliced up a few strawberries today in my water, and it was yummy! Thanks, Milton, for the great input. I'm sure other fruits can be just as tasty. I think I'll try pineapple tonight.

Obesity and cancer

BY LENA HUANG | SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

Two studies on obesity and cancer released results this week. One study showed leukemia cells finding a safe haven in the fat tissue of obese mice, and the other study predicts that obesity could be the leading cause of cancer in women in the future.

The leukemia study, published online by Cancer Research, was inspired by an earlier study which showed that obese children have a 50 percent higher chance of recurrence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia than lean children. Researchers developed obese mice with leukemia and treated the mice with traditional chemotherapy used in children. Compared with the normal mice with leukemia, the obese mice had a higher relapse rate. Upon closer examination of the relapsed mice, researchers found leukemia cells hiding in the fat tissue, protected from the chemotherapy. This may explain why obese people often have poorer prognoses in not only leukemia but other cancers as well.

In the second study, European researchers found cancer could be attributed to obesity in about 124,000 cases in 2008. In men, 3.2 percent of cancers were caused by obesity, but in women the number was higher at 8.6 percent. These findings were announced at a joint meeting of the European Cancer Organization and the European Society for Medical Oncology where lead researcher Andrew Renehan, MD, said, "As more people stop smoking and fewer women take hormone replacement therapy, it is possible that obesity may become the biggest attributable cause of cancer in women in the next decade."

These studies and other research will hopefully help us understand the connection between obesity and certain cancers and will encourage more patients, survivors, and health care providers to make losing weight not just a suggestion but a prescription for fighting cancer.