Despite extensive research on the role of diet, lifestyle, and antioxidants in cancer prevention, the incidence of cancer in the United States has increased from 1.2 million new cases per year only a decade ago to about 1.5 million cases per year in 2009. The current recommendation of consuming a diet rich in antioxidants, low in fat, and high in fiber, although very rational, has not had significant impact on reducing the incidence of cancer. Increased oxidative stress from the production of excessive amounts of free radicals, along with the effects of chronic inflammation, plays a major role in the initiation and progression of cancer.
Micronutrients, especially antioxidants, have been shown to help ameliorate these effects; therefore, they have great potential for reducing the risk of cancer. Unfortunately, some clinical studies in which a single antioxidant was used in populations at high risk for developing cancer (such as heavy tobacco smokers), revealed an increased cancer risk in the antioxidant-treated group. These results have called into question the potential value of antioxidants in cancer prevention. This revised edition o(Fighting Cancer with Vitamins and Antioxidants discusses the questions that have arisen from these studies and proposes solutions. The solutions include changes to the diet and lifestyle together with daily supplementation with a specific multiple-micronutrient preparation containing dietary and endogenous (made by the bodv) antioxidants for reducing the risk of cancer. The U.S. mortality rate from cancer has not changed significantly during the past several decades, in spite of extensive research and the development of new treatment methods and drugs. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 1950 the death rate from cancer was about 194 per 100,000. In 2006 this value was 180.7 per 100,000. The effectiveness of standard cancer treatment, which includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, has reached a plateau for many solid tumors. In addition, damage to normal tissue occurs during radiation and chemotherapy. While some therapies have been successful—reducing the risk of recurrence of breast cancer with tamoxifen, for example—there are often no effective strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence of the other primary tumors or the development of second cancers among cancer survivors. There are also no effective strategies to prolong the survival time of patients who have become unresponsive to all therapies. Supplementation with a multiplemicronutrient preparation has great potential to enhance the effectiveness of standard therapy, reduce the risk of recurrence of primary tumors, reduce the risk of developing new cancer among survivors, and increase survival time.
However, the role of antioxidants in cancer therapy has become controversial, and many oncologists discourage patients from taking antioxidants before or after therapy. This revised edition of Fighting Cancer with Vitamins and Antioxidants discusses the reasons behind these con-troversies and proposes a specific preparation of multiple micronutrients, including antioxidants, for those receiving standard therapy, those in remission, and those who have become unresponsive to all therapies.
Recent studies suggest an increased risk of cancer among individuals who receive diagnostic doses of radiation (such as during mammograms, CT scans, chest X-rays, dental X-rays, and nuclear medicine procedures), radiation workers (individuals working with X-ray equipment and employees at nuclear power plants), and frequent fliers (pilots and crews of aircraft). The revised edition of Fighting Cancer with Vitamins and Anti oxidants discusses in detail the cancer risk among these groups and suggests a specific multiple-micronutrient preparation to reduce the risk of cancer among them. The recommendations should be adopted only in consultation with a physician.
Author: KedarN. Prasad, Ph.D.
and K. Che Prasad, M.S., M.D.
