Common Stuff that Causes, and Increases the Chance of, Cancer
Here are seven dietary factors that may increase the risk of cancer.
acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol):
shown by the VITAL study of 62,841 men and women aged 50 to 76 years
may increase the chance of liver cancer
may increase the chance of blood cancers
N-acetylcysteine has accelerated the spread of skin cancers in mice
acrylamide:
where it is:
carbohydrate-rich foods
french fries
potato chips
injures via inflammation, thus causing multiple cancers
acrylamide can bind to DNA, thus causing multiple cancers
→ breast cancer
→ ovarian cancer
→ prostate cancer
McDonald’s is behaving badly
advanced glycation end products (see Avoiding Parkinson’s for more information)
air fresheners:
Ozone reacts with fragrance molecule to produce formaldehyde.
Air fresheners could cause cancerous DNA mutations.
“Green” and “organic” air fresheners can emit hazardous air pollutants.
Who wants to breathe organic compounds, benzene, fomaldeyde, and phthalates?
air pollution is bad news – broccoli sprouts to the rescue?
barbecuing, including tailgating, is hazardous
aflatoxin (from improperly stored peanuts and soybeans)
may cause liver cancer, especially dangerous for hepatitis patients
alcohol is a significant carcinogen and a cocarcinogen – even one drink per day
Globally, an estimated 741,300 of all new cases of cancer in 2020 were attributable to alcohol consumption.
maybe use a smaller wine glass
best consumed with food, more
causes breast cancer – even one drink/day- wow!
→ colorectal cancer via the ethanol-mediated TGF-β/Smad/Snail axis
→ esophageal cancer – injures via acetaldehyde
causes liver cancer
alcohol in mouthwash may cause oral cancer
→ oral cancer, even with light drinking
→ skin cancer – melanoma
there is no safe level of alcohol
alcohol, processed meat, and obesity may cause stomach cancer
aldehydes from frying with corn, sunflower, of safflower (rapeseed) oil are bad news
alkylphenols – found in plastic, chicken, and especially fish
aloe whole leaf extract?
alpha-linolenic (ALA; 18:3n-3) fats may increase the chance of prostate cancer
sources from the above are meat, and dairy – the “complete” animal protein may actually be the culprit
androstenedione (which is an androgen) → high IGF-1 → cancer
Androgen therapy (testosterone is also an androgen) can worsen prostate cancer.
animal origin fats, proteins, and sugars → pancreatic, bladder cancer (includes milk and eggs!)
combined with low fiber → colon cancer
Antibiotics might increase the risk of colon and rectal cancer.
Antioxidant supplements may promote cancer:
Cancer cells already have more antioxidants than normal cells, so antioxidant pills act opposite to most cancer therapies which are based on oxidants.
Antioxidant pills can accelerate the spread of malignant melanoma.
Antioxidant pills can act as pro-oxidants which may damage DNA.
Antioxidant pills may injure via prolonged activation of the nuclear factor E2.
Sahlgrenska Academy has found that antioxidants double the rate of metastasis in malignant melanoma.
Antioxidant pills/powders increase the rate of a variety of skin cancers.
Beta-caroten supplements →lung cancer.
Folic acid supplements →colon polyps →colon cancer.
Aristolochia sp. found abundantly in Chinese medicine.
Arsenic: increases the chance of multiple cancers. Arsenic is not just considered to be a carcinogen; it’s also designated as a “nonthreshold carcinogen, meaning that any dose, no matter how small, carries some cancer risk”—so there really isn’t a “safe” level of exposure.
Arsenic is in chicken due to arsenic-based drugs.
Arsenic is in drinking water: RO filtration can help – a little.
Arsenic is in rice (especially brown rice, rice milk, rice cereal, rice bran, and it’s syrup – American, especially California rice is lowest. How to remove arsenic while cooking rice.
Lundberg is the lowest in arsenic among American rice,
The problem with arsenic in rice is that it is mostly inorganic: the most toxic form
Arsenic is even in plants fertilized with chicken manure!
Rice has no unique health benefits over other whole grains,
Arsenic is also high in hiziki seaweed.
Turmeric to the rescue?
aspartame (Nutrasweet):
The cancer causative potential of aspartame was demonstrated in rats and mice. But this meta-analysis implies that the cancer concern is overblown.
→ liver cancer
→ lymphoma
→ multiple myeloma
→ urinary tract cancer
B vitamin supplement overdosing
beer → breast cancer – due to hops and alcohol
benzene, more (in gasoline commercial carrot juice, ground beef, and carbonated beverages.
potassium benzoate, sodium benzoate (both plus vitamin C)
BHA, more (butylated hydroxy anisole)
maybe not: it may protect against carcinogenesis (in mice)more
and BHT
bile acid – produced in response to eating animal fat
reduced re-absorption via steamed veggies
bisphenol A:
BPA messes with the epigenome.
Heat causes BPA leaching into water;
BPA can migrate into water even without heat.
Minimize canned foods, dental sealants, register receipts, adult toys and jellies.
One canned food per day vs. none was associated with 24% higher urinary BPA concentrations. ≥2 canned foods per day vs. none was associated with 54% higher urinary BPA concentrations.
Polycarbonate and even metal bottles can be a source of BPA.
BPA-free can linings are not better
a plant-based diet is best for lowering phthalate exposure
BPA is a phthalate, all of which are bad. Sources include:
fresh fish
cheese products and other milk products
flexible PVC products such a garden hoses
recycled plastics
plastic toys
wood finishes and detergents
personal care products
air fresheners
BPA is linked to breast cancer
BPA is linked to liver cancer
BPA is linked to prostate cancer
Break a sweat to eliminate ingested BPA.
Eating soy may also help.
high blood sugar:
shown by a study of 33,293 women and 31,304 men
→ colorectal cancer
→ lung cancer
→ brain cancer
breast density caution
potassium bromate – found in commercial baked goods
cadmium: (see Long-term Cognition post for more on cadmium)
injures via p62 and Nrf2 overexpression
causes hormonal cancers:
→ endometrial cancer
most dietary cadmium can be avoided with a plant-based diet
eat cilantro (coriander, or Chinese parsley)
a plant-based diet can help detoxify mercury, lead, and cadmium
excessive calcium supplementation→ polyps in the colon?→ colorectal cancer
excessive caloric intake (the opposite of calorie restriction)
Candida albicans fungal infection
Cannabis smoke is a concern: it really is best to use a vaporizer: it is more economical
but the effect is slight: studies are mixed
THC suppresses the growth of lung cancer cells
A 400-page analysis of 10,000 scientific studies concluded that “Cannabis and cannabinoids use is not linked to cancers that arise from smoking, such as lung and neck cancers. However, smoking may increase respiratory problems, like chronic phlegm, if it’s done on a regular basis.”
cannabis is possibly causative of testicular cancer in young men
dabbing cannabis (using butane) releases carcinogenic chemicals
may be causative of testicular cancer (young men are most vulnerable)
Excessive dietary carbs: especially simple and refined carbs increase the chance of cancer.
Excessive carbs can injure via altered gut microbiota.
Carb-rich Western diet meals can directly promote tumor cell proliferation via the insulin/IGF1 signaling pathway.
Excessive carbs increases the chance of breast cancer.
Excessive carbs increases the chance of colon cancer.
Carrageenan was worrisome in lab animals.
Cat poop: Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, which reproduces in cats and most often spreads to humans through raw meat, may increase the risk of brain cancer.
→ 28% higher chance of salivary gland tumors
common every-day chemicals
chicken dosed with arsenic drugs, even occupational exposure to poultry
grilled chicken is the most carcinogenic
Chicken is the meat most likely to cause lymphoma, more than processed meat or beef.
chlorinated drinking water (weak)
bad (LDL) cholesterol → breast cancer, prostate cancer, other cancers ,cancer metastasis
carnitine and choline via TMAO in meat and in eggs
better sources of choline
Research has linked more than 200 commercial chemicals to the risk of developing breast cancer.
None of those chemicals are listed on the National Cancer Institute website.
chlamydia infection
Dietary cholesterol→ multiple cancers.
A study of 47,896 men showed that choline (food or supplements) intake was associated with an increased risk of lethal prostate cancer.
chondroitin (a popular joint supplement) may speed the growth of melanoma
Circadian clock disruption (probably via messing with melatonin and human period 2 protein)
Several molecular gears constituting the clock machinery have been found to establish functional interplays with regulators of the cell cycle, and alterations in clock function could lead to aberrant cellular proliferation.
Circadian clock disruption injures via increased expression of a cell-cycle control protein called cyclin D. Circadian rhythms (or lack thereof) of host organisms appear to dictate tumour growth and proliferation. Tumorigenesis can occur with the loss of a maintained circadian rhythm and lead to an increased risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, breast cancer, and metastatic colorectal cancer.
The often-reported association between light-at-night, melatonin suppression and increased cancer incidence may well be a result of the accompanying perturbed mitochondrial physiology.
A study of 2,000 adults in Barcelona and Madrid revealed that blue light at night increased the chance of colorectal cancer.
A study of 4,000 people between 20 and 85 years of age showed that night time blue light exposure increased the chance of breast and prostate cancer.
see the shift work caution, below
see the longevity post for circadian rhythm information
non-stick cookware – see microwave popcorn, below
copper caution: especially copper-containing supplements
Copper is required for the secretion of several angiogenic factors by tumor cells.
Copper plays an important role in promoting physiological and malignant angiogenesis.
Copper may increase the chance of colorectal cancer.
Copper may increase the chance of liver cancer.
e-cigarettes:
E-cigarettes contain up to 10 times the level of cancer-causing agents in regular tobacco.
gum disease and oral cancer
E-cigarette vapor delivers formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.
also a source of heavy metals.
Not electromagnetic radiation such as from cell phones or microwave ovens.
→ brain cancer, leukemia – 24% higher risk
→ breast cancer
a useful site: Choosing Wisely
dental x-rays may cause brain tumors (particularly for children)
Not deodorants.
depression – see the post here on Depression
Insulin resistance is bad news.
Type 2 diabetes especially promotes cancers of the liver, pancreas, endometrium, colon and rectum, breast, and bladder.
Type 2 diabetes + obesity causes 800,000 cancers worldwide.
type 2 diabetes drugs sitagliptin and exenatide
diesel exhaust, or any vehicle exhaust
1/2 of all soot particles inhaled get stuck in the lungs
dioxins found in meat, dairy and fish
licorice to the rescue? – but not too much!
raises TMAO, which is a marker of an unhealthy diet and microbiome
damages via heterocyclic amines
eggs frequently have a carcinogenic retrovirus, more
eggs → bladder cancer
→ breast cancer via increased serum concentrations of free estradiol
→ lymphoma
strong electromagnetic fields, maybe not, maybe so
clear evidence found in male rats exposed to levels a bit higher than 3G
estradiol → male breast cancer – from meat, eggs, and dairy
estrogen found (naturally) in dairy, meat, and eggs is causative of breast cancer
a high – fat (fast food) diet, which typically has a lot of saturated animal fat
→ intestinal tumors
→ colorectal cancer
more prevalent in Americans than others around the world
Fish, in one study, caused breast cancer cells to grow.
A study of 23,693 postmenopausal women showed that higher intakes of fish were significantly associated with higher incidence rates of breast cancer.
fish oil supplements might increase the chance of prostate cancer
Fresh fish is problematic due to microplastic particles.
compact fluorescent bulbs
produced by e-cigarettes
vitamin E supplements
estrogen found naturally in meat, dairy, and eggs
excessive fructose consumption (sugar is 1/2 fructose)
→ liver cancer
→ pancreatic cancer
→ intestinal cancer – in mice
but it has to be really excessive
folic acid supplements
Fruit juice → increased risk of colon cancer, liver cancer. breast cancer, and overall cancer.
fusobacterium – causes periodontal disease
glass fibers:
may cause lung cancer if inhaled
found in cigarette filters, insulation
A high glycemic index diet (avoid simple starches, sugar and bread) as shown by this 2019 meta-analysis.
glycidol, found mostly in palm oil
excessive dietary glycine? – mostly found in meat and fish
glyphosate, more (found in Roundup)
Glyphosate alone may not be so bad at low concentrations.
It is the additional chemicals in Roundup that may be more worrisome.
excessive green tea extract supplements
gum disease
Helicobacter pylori (causes ulcers – treated by antibiotics and with broccoli sprouts)
heterocyclic aromatic amines from well-done meat, eggs, cheese, and excessive creatine
chlorophyllin and Lactobacillus casei can detoxify HCAs
A high glycemic diet:
A low glycemic index diet was suggested by this meta-analysis.
→ breast cancer
shown in Italian women
shown in Mexican women
among postmenopausal women
→ endometrial cancer
→ pancreatic cancer
glyphosphate, more, more, more, more, more, more
see the Avoiding Parkinson’s post for countermeasures
alternatives: vinegar, more, more
Roundup residue found (at unacceptable levels) on GMO soy
An unhealthy gut microbiome→ breast cancer.
See “gut” in this blog post.
high blood pressure, linked to colorectal cancer in women
a high-fat (as in fast food) diet → aggressive prostate cancer
high homocysteine → colorectal cancer
High IGF-1, caused by consuming “complete“ proteins:
→ breast cancer:
IGF-1 is a point of convergence for major signaling pathways implicated in breast cancer growth.
possible synergistic effects with estrogen receptor (ER) activation
indicated by 17 studies of 4790 cases and 9428 matched controls
IGFBP-3 is associated with unfavorable breast cancer prognosis.
IGF-1 may need to be suppressed to give breast cancer treatment a chance.
The IGF-1 link to breast cancer was shown by a study of 206,263 women.
→ pancreatic cancer
Caused by a high protein intake
Shown by a meta-analysis of 10,554 prostate cancer cases and 13,618 control participants
High IGF-1 causes cancer by inhibiting apoptosis, and by stimulating cell proliferation. It is a key regulator of cancer risk in humans, acting in a growth hormone independent manner. IGFs are important mitogens (causes cell division) in many types of malignancies. independent of age, lifestyle, and cancer history. IGF-1 and other growth factors are major regulators of all subsequent steps of tumor progression, namely clonal expansion, invasion across tissue barriers, angiogenesis, and colonization of distant niches.
Shown by 21 studies which included 3609 cases and 7137 controls.
Proven by studies of the Laron Dwarfs from Ecuador.
Avoid dairy , BCAAs, arginine, and high protein, especially of animal origin (which are also rich sources of methionine). Avoid too much soy, and any kind of high–protein diet. Beans, in moderation, may lower IGF-1. Plant protein is safer. Too much fat and refined carbs also raise IGF-1.
High IGF-1 also cause reduced lifespan in mice.
But high IGF-1 via exercise is a good thing.
Do intermittent fasting and a low–protein plant – based (vegan) diet
Shown by a study of 233 vegan men than in 226 meat-eaters and 237 vegetarians
Shown by a study of 292 British women, ages 20–70 years
Shown by a study of 29,017 postmenopausal Iowa women followed for 15 years
Shown by a study of 292 British women, ages 20–70 years
Shown by a study of 14 men age 60 +/- 3 years
A quality vegan diet also works via methionine restriction.
Include luteolin in your diet, and consume seaweed, peas.
Chronic inflammation → colon cancer.
First, transcription factors NF-κB and STAT3 that regulate expression of inflammatory gene products, have been found to be constitutively active in most cancers; second, chronic inflammation such as pancreatitis, prostatitis, hepatitis etc. leads to cancers; third, activation of NF-κB and STAT3 leads to cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis; fourth, activation of NF-κB and STAT3 leads to resistance to chemotherapy and radiation, and hypoxia and acidic conditions activate these transcription factors. – see the Avoiding Inflammation post.
elevated insulin is hazardous – see the post on blood sugar
→ pancreatic cancer
hormone replacement therapy increases ovarian cancer risk
any substance that increases human growth hormone such as:
GABA, which may increase the chance of pancreatic cancer
repeated medical imaging
Chronic inflammation: (see the Avoiding Pain and Inflammation post) due to a refined diet.
→ colorectal cancer
This was shown by the Iowa women’s health study of 34,703 women, ages 55 to 69 years. This was also shown by a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies of colon cancer reporting heme intake included 566,607 individuals and 4,734 cases of colon cancer.
especially gut inflammation
→ high grade prostate cancer
injures via cancerous DNA mutations
injures via a dysfunction of tissue homeostasis and repair
injures via oxidative stress
Many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation and inflammation.
Inflammation affects immune surveillance of tumor cells.
lung inflammation → increased chance of metastasis
chronic skin inflammation → increased chance of skin cancer
Too much iron: wow! Ferritin level should be less than 50 ng/mL.
Too much iron increases the chance of colon cancer.
Especially problematic is heme iron (see the Avoiding Diabetes post for more on iron).
Ferric citrate and ferric EDTA (but not ferric sulfate) caused colon cancer in vitro
Too much of any iron supplement results in iron overload
late meals → increased chance of prostate and breast cancer
lead? – see the sex post for my experience with green tea extract
see this Long-Term Cognition post for lead countermeasures
leptin:
→ breast cancer
→ endometrial cancer
be slim to minimize leptin
loneliness:
injures via chronic inflammation
→ breast cancer
night-time lighting, including night shift work, via messing with melatonin
lycopene supplements
mammograms may cause DNA damage: most risky for high-risk women
Meat: one of the leading lifestyle cancer risk factors. The buildup of industrial toxins in the meat and dairy supply may, in part, account for the relationship between animal fat consumption and disease.
especially red meat via TMAO-producing gut flora
especially processed meat (worse than red meat)
especially after cancer diagnosis
colon cancer risk increases 12% per 100 grams of processed meat
processed meat is likely the most risky
This is due to sodium nitrite→ N-nitroso compounds.
Another meat culprit is heme iron.
works via bad gut flora
works via excessive bile acids
works via protein fermenation
resistant starch might help (beans, or cool cooked starches)
can even affect the young
demonstrated by the UK Women’s Cohort Study of 32,147 women
bladder cancer
breast cancer
via increased serum concentrations of free estradiol and oestrogen
via mammary carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)
via Zeranol, a potent hormone disruptor used in meat production
especially meat treated with Zeranol and other hormones
via TMAO
endometrial cancer
glioma ( a form of brain cancer)
kidney cancer, via nitrosamines and nitrosamides
oral and throat cancer
prostate cancer via alpha linolenic acid and Ω-6 fatty acids
skin cancer, including melanoma
even handling chicken! even chicken fumes!
especially preserved meat such as hot dogs – worse than smoking!
adding vitamin C (required by law) makes it worse!
One of the culprits in meat is heme iron.
another culprit is Phlp
curcumin to the rescue?
another culprit is bile acids→ gastrointestinal cancer
another culprit is slow colon transit time
another culprit is DNA damaging chemicals
another culprit is animal fat – see saturated fat, below.
another culprit is glycoproteins containing glycosidically linked Neu5Gc
another culprit is heme iron
another culprit is high IGF-1
another culprit is Neu5Gc: a sugar found in red meat
another culprit is N-nitroso compounds in processed meat
another culprit is non-human sialic acid
another culprit is animal protein
another culprit is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
another culprit is poultry viruses
another culprit is polyoma viruses that can survive cooking and pasteurization
another culprit is industrial toxins
another culprit is Zeranol.
As bad as smoking.
Beef: it’s what’s rotting in your colon!
If one does eat meat, cook it at a low temperature (more), and consume some resistant starch.
Quorn, being a “complete protein”, may be similarly cancer causing.
The patronizing tone of government and public health advocates does not help!
metabolic syndrome or being type 2 diabetic or even being prediabetic
injures via DNA abnormalities
shown by 5 studies of 250,479 people
→ breast cancer
→ cancers of the digestive system
→ colorectal cancer
→ endometrial cancer
→ pancreatic cancer
shown by a study of 20,475 men and 15,183 women
shown by a study of 736 cases and 1875 controls
transition metals such as iron, nickel, chromium, copper, and lead
break a sweat to decrease heavy metal load
avoid e-cigarettes
too much dietary methionine (mostly from animal foods)
Many human tumors require methionine to grow.
Excessive methionine may be linked to prostate cancer.
see long-term cognition post for methionine sites
2-methylimidazole (brown coloring in soda)
4-methylimidazole (brown coloring in soda), more, more
not microwaves, or microwave ovens
Milk: even low fat milk and, of course, cheese and yogurt is bad news:
→ prostate cancer – even organic milk
Dairy may injure via DNA damage.
Dairy may injure via 5alpha-pregnanedione (5α-P) present in milk.
Shown by a meta analysis of 32 studies.
Shown by a meta analysis of 11 case control studies.
Shown by a review of 42 meta analyses.
Demonstrated by the Physician’s Health Study of 20885 men.
“…the intake of dairy products should be reduced or minimized in mens’ diet”
→ lymphoma
→ breast cancer, via bovine leukemia virus
Dairy may injure via estrogens and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGTF-1).
→ endometrial cancer
→ oesophageal cancers
→ ovarian cancer
→ pancreatic cancer
→ testicular cancer (mostly affects young men): galactose is a culprit
Dairy injures via 5α-P.
Dairy injures via animal fat.
Dairy injures via hormonal interference
genetic manipulation has produce abnormally high hormone levels
Dairy injures via elevated IGF-1
Dairy injures via circulating steroid hormone concentrations
The dangers of dairy were shown by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author or The China Study.
Nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavor.
skin creams containing mineral oil
mobile phone use? – probably not
lots of moles are not a concern, but a few irregular moles are
MTOR or MTORC1 activation:
The mTOR pathway communicates with the p53 pathway – not good. mTORC1 drives tumorigenesis by boosting translation of oncogenes, promoting anabolism and angiogenesis and suppressing autophagy. mTORC2 activates Akt and other AGC family kinases that promote cell proliferation and survival.
mTOR signaling increases tumor cell motility.
→ breast cancer
→ leukemia
→ liver cancer
activated by:
human growth hormone therapy
Leucine:
Leucine, glutamine and arginine have been widely shown as the main contributors to mTORC1 activation. Sestrin2 is a leucine sensor for the mTORC1 pathway.
Leucine is mostly found in foods of animal origin.
Overnutrition (eating too much)
inhibited by:
AMPK: AMPK is activated by:
Calorie restriction has been shown to suppress mTOR in mice and in nematodes. AMPK is an energy sensor.
AMPK is activated in skeletal muscle during exercise in an intensity-dependent manner.
Time–restricted feeding
a form of intermittent fasting
a form of temporary food deprivation
more AMPK information in the Longevity post
A plant-based diet will inhibit mTOR.
A low-starch diet will inhibit mTOR.
mycotoxins from moldy food
n-acetyl cysteine and vitamin E → accelerated lung-cancer growth (the dose makes the poison)
sodium nitrite (in processed meat)→ gastric cancer
lactic acid bacteria can deplete sodium nitrite
nitrosamines in second-hand smoke, third-hand smoke, and (red and cured) meat
n-nitrosodimethylamine – found in cured meats, smoked fish, and cigarette smoke
lactic acid bacteria can detoxify n-nitrosodiumethylime
Fat fuels cancer’s spread in mice. Bigger bodies→ more cancers.
Obese women are 40% more likely to get cancer.
causes 800,000 or 4% of cancers worldwide
Shown by a meta analysis of 282,137 human cases.
Shown by the Million Women Study.
Obesity injures via dysfunctional adipose tissue.
especially fat around the middle
visceral fat→ FGF-2→ tumors
regardless of diet, but weight-loss surgery can help
via suppression of guardian immune cells
makes cancer cells more aggressive via increased angiogenesis
Breast tissue from obese women is stiffer which promotes cancer.
Small extracellular vesicles called exosomes shed from adipocytes carry molecular cargo that induce prometastatic changes in recipient breast cancer cells.
Visceral obesity, as assessed by computed tomography, was a significant risk factor for breast cancer in women matched for age, weight, and waist circumference.
exercise after weight loss for less risk
→ endometrial cancer
especially visceral fat
→ 13 types of cancer, 11 types, eight more, 10 common cancers, all cancers
a plant-based diet may help
rancid oils
orange juice → melanoma risk?
organochlorine pesticide residues
see the Avoiding Diabetes post for avoiding these toxins
papilloma virus (causes warts also)
→ liver cancer
a high omega 6/omega 3 dietary fatty acid ratio (too much corn, safflower, sunflower, and soy oils)
injures via forming promutagenic exocyclic DNA adducts in human cells
→ breast cancer (mammary tumors)
Shown by a study of 11,699 women. may stimulate the growth and spread of tumors
Shown by a study of 2,074 Mexican women.
Shown by the Shanghai Women’s Health Study of 75,571 women.
→ prostate cancer
overeating→ breast cancer
oxidative stress – see the longevity post
Injures via chronic inflammation.
Injures via activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases.
Injures via activation of key transcription factors such as Nrf2 and NF-κB.
Increased by transition metals such as iron or copper.
oxidized/rancid oils:
Rancid oils are toxic to cells and genes.
→ may fuel the spread of liver cancer
Canola oil can oxidize when heated unless it is modified, but even oleic acid oxidizes.
Even the vapors are dangerous.
Opioid-based pain killers may stimulate the growth and spread of tumors.
Long-term use of pain killers such as non-aspirin NSAIDS may increase the risk of kidney cancer.
Glycidyl fatty acid esters from refining palm oil, used in Nutella, among other processed foods.
papilloma virus (causes warts also)
treat genital warts with green tea
PCBs in fish, dairy, meat, and eggs, and yellow pigments
perfluorooctanoic acid See Heart Health for additional information.
perfluorooctane sulfonate, more, more
pesticides – wash produce and/or eat organicallySee also bisphenol A (BPA) above.
m2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhlP) in meats and fish
not mobile phone use, except maybe for extreme use
also fast food, household dust, perfumes, and medicine enteric coatings
See also bisphenol A (BPA) above.
pickled foods → gastric (stomach) cancer
heating foods in the microwave should not happen in plastic not intended for this purpose
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Women with detectable levels of PAH had a twofold association with breast cancer risk. The association increased with higher levels of PAH.
PAHs are endocrine disrupting chemicals that mess with the epigenome.
PAHs are abundant in vacuum dust.
from air pollution – works epigenetically
microwave popcorn:
Microwave popcorn bags are a source of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
PFOA disrupts hormones.
Diacetyl flavoring agent is also a suspected carcinogen.
potassium bromate in fast-food buns and brominated flour
Potassium bromate is llegal in China, the European Union, Canada, and Brazil.
poultry oncogenic viruses – can be got from slaughtering poultry
not overhead power lines
Avoid processed (energy dense) foods.
Shown by a study of 104,980 healthy French adults (22% men; 78% women.
A high-protein diet→ protein fermentation→ hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and p-Cresol→ colon cancer. Plant protein is OK.
incidental radiation – even tiny doses
protracted exposure to low doses of ionising radiation
Red Dye No. 3 → DNA damage, thyroid cancer, and other cancers
in breakfast cereal, juice drinks, soda and ice cream
those with red hair are at increased risk of melanoma
Not root canal procedures.
Roundup herbicide – mostly due to chemicals other than glyphosate..
excessive salt consumption:
→ gastric (stomach) cancer: the fourth most common cancer
shown by a hospital based case-control study of 379 cases and 1137 controls
shown by a study of 11742 older men
saturated fat, of animal origin – due partly to phytanic acid
especially after cancer diagnosis
colorectal cancer
selenium supplements:
promiscuous oral sex → HPV infection → oral cancer (mostly applies to men)
shift work:
injures via circadian clock disruption
may cause colorectal cancer
→ cervical cancer
excessive sleep, and sleep apnea (being slim may help prevent sleep apnea)
chronic insomnia → liver cancer
fireplace (wood) smoke→ lung cancer
Short-term exposure to high concentrations of smoke will not harm healthy people.
smoked foods, but not liquid smoke
two sodas per day
→ liver cancer
Sodium benzoate + vitamin C → benzene – yikes!
sodium nitrite from bacon and other processed meats
→ colorectal cancer
→ gastric cancer
caution on cheap no-name spices in street vendor food
Splenda (sucralose)?
too much starch:
→ breast cancer
→ colon cancer – via elevated insulin
statin drugs:
→ bladder cancer
→ breast cancer
→ breast cancer
via the ATF3 gene
shown by a study of 989 breast cancer patients
causes a a 30-fold increase in cancer spread in stressed mice
Excessive intake of sugar, (party due to the fructose fraction, but also glucose) or other simple carbs increases our risk of cancer. Our evolutionary past has instilled in us a natural craving for sugar can be especially dangerous with a mutated phosphoinositide-3-kinase, or PI3K enzyme. Fruit juice is also considered to be a sugary drink.
The sugar-fueled cancer concerns include:
→ breast cancer
shown by a study of 4690 women
Sugar may hasten the spread of breast cancer to the lungs.
→ colon cancer
→ colorectal cancer
shown by a study of 506 patients and 673 controls
shown by a study of 1586 patients and 2485 controls
→ pancreatic cancer
shown by a study of 77,797 men and women
shown by a study of 532 cases and 1701 controls
→ prostate cancer
→ stomach cancer
insufficient sun exposure → pancreatic cancer
excessive sun exposure → skin cancer, prevented only partially with sunscreen
a good sunscreen guide from EWG: avoid homemade sunscreens
alcohol + sun exposure → increased chance of melanoma
green tea may help avoid sun-induced skin cancer
tanning dependence caution, especially for the young
UVB tanning is safer than UVA exposure
tanning beds are especially hazardous for the young
indoor tanning is dangerous for anyone
dysfunctional telomeres:
dysfunctional telomeres destabilize cell DNA→ cancer
see the longevity post on telomeres
smoking or vaporizing tobacco, still big
Smoking tobacco causes 40% of all cancers in America.
Smoking tobacco is the number 1 risk for lung cancer.
may cause squamous cell carcinoma
nicotine messes with pancreatic stellate cells
reducing smoking can also benefit
second-hand smoke causes cancer due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Nitrosamines from third-hand smoke are also hazardous.
e-cigarette and second-hand e-cigarette smoke is hazardous
e-cigarettes are only a bit safer than cigarettes
including the latest from Philip Morris
“low tar” or “lite” is a cruel hoax
standardized tobacco packaging would help
titanium dioxide→ colon/colorectal cancer
Trimethylamine N-oxide, a gut microbiota-dependent metabolite of choline, is positively associated with the risk of primary liver cancer.
trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils), found in junk food and animal products,
→ breast cancer
→ colon cancer
a common component of soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, and other hygiene products at concentrations up to 0.3%
excessive (supplemental) tryptophan
cooking with unsaturated vegetable oils
not vasectomy
Viagra (sildenafil) → increased chance of melanoma
um (putting on my best Gilda Radner voice here): “never mind“
xenestrogens: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins and dibenzofurans, bisphenol A
→ breast cancer
shown by a study of 264 postmenopausal women aged 55 to 70 years
via activation of the mTOR pathway
via endocrine disruption
may affect three generations
especially during growth and adolescence
→ multiple cancers
excessive zinc levels correlate with breast cancer
more cancer causes , dark-skinned people also get skin cancer
cancer warning signs
most melanomas grow as new spots, not on existing moles
