Frequently Asked Questions

Credit: (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Common_Questions
_About_Diet_and_Cancer.asp)

Does alcohol increase cancer risk?

Yes. Alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), esophagus, liver, and breast, and probably of the colon and rectum. Regular consumption of even a few drinks per week is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women, especially in women who do not get enough folate. Women at high risk of breast cancer may want to consider not drinking any alcohol.

What are antioxidants, and what do they have to do with cancer?

The body appears to use certain nutrients in vegetables and fruits to protect against damage to tissues that occurs constantly as a result of normal metabolism (oxidation). Because such damage is linked with increased cancer risk, the so-called antioxidant nutrients are thought to protect against cancer. Antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and many other phytochemicals (chemicals from plants). To reduce cancer risk, the best advice at present is to consume antioxidants through food sources, rather than supplements.

Does aspartame cause cancer?

Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. Current evidence does not show any link between aspartame ingestion and increased cancer risk. People with the genetic disorder known, as phenylketonuria should avoid aspartame in their diets.

Does beta-carotene reduce cancer risk?

Because beta-carotene, an antioxidant chemically related to vitamin A, is found in vegetables and fruits and because eating vegetables and fruits is linked with a reduced risk of cancer, it seemed plausible that taking high doses of beta-carotene supplements might reduce cancer risk. But the results of 3 major clinical trials show this is not the case. In 2 studies in which people were given high doses of beta-carotene supplements in an attempt to prevent lung cancer and other cancers, the supplements were found to increase the risk of lung cancer in cigarette smokers, and a third found neither benefit nor harm from them. Therefore, consuming vegetables and fruits that contain beta-carotene may be helpful, but high-dose beta-carotene supplements should be avoided.

Is calcium related to cancer?

Several studies have suggested that foods high in calcium might help reduce the risk for colorectal cancer, and that supplementing the diet with calcium modestly reduces the formation of colorectal adenomas (polyps). But there is also evidence that a high-calcium intake, primarily through supplements, is linked with increased risk for prostate cancer, especially for prostate cancers that are more aggressive. Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium, as are some leafy vegetables and greens. People who get much of their calcium from dairy products should select low-fat or non-fat choices to reduce their intake of saturated fat.