Stress, genetics, age, harmful habits and unhealthy diet are among the factors that cause cancer. In order to prevent cancer, we need to pay attention to the foods and items we use in our daily life. Dr. Instructor Member Fatma Mert Biberoğlu drew attention to the importance of foods consumed in the fight against cancer and gave information. Biberoğlu said, “It is known that eating habits affect approximately 35 percent of the cancer development. Obesity, which occurs especially as a result of excessive body weight gain, is one of the important risk factors. It is known that obesity increases the risk of esophageal, large intestine, breast and kidney cancer. When fat is consumed, the working order of sex hormones can be disrupted as a result of the increase in body fat rate.
PESTICIDE USE MUST BE CONSCIOUS
Warning about pesticides used in agriculture, Biberoğlu said, “Pestitists are chemicals used to destroy pests in agricultural areas and to obtain quality products. They remain in the water, soil, fruits and vegetables for a long time and cause environmental pollution. Accordingly, consumption of these foods “As a result, various harmful effects occur in humans. Especially in agricultural workers, the incidence of bladder and colon cancer increases approximately 2 times due to pesticide exposure. Therefore, controlled and conscious use of pesticides in agricultural areas should be ensured.”
STAY AWAY FROM PROCESSED FOODS
Noting that the chemicals added to prolong the shelf life of the products are dangerous, Biberoğlu said, “They are natural or synthetic chemicals added to ensure that the food remains intact for a long time and to extend the shelf life of processed products. International independent risk assessment authorities decide which additives can be used in foods and how much. “Despite compliance, some substances can turn into substances that increase the risk of cancer in humans. For example, processed meat products (such as sausage, salami, sausage) turn into nitrosamine, increasing the risk of colon, stomach, bladder and pancreatic cancers.”
COOKING FOOD AT HIGH TEMPERATURES IS RISK
Biberoğlu said, “They are carcinogenic compounds formed in foods cooked at high temperatures (over 120°C). They are especially formed in fried, burned, roasted, smoked, coal/wood fired meat and meat products. Accordingly, prostate, pancreas, lung, mouth, It is known to be associated with pharyngeal, esophageal and laryngeal cancers.
Smoked Foods Create Carcinogenic Effects
Biberoğlu said, “The oils melted in meat cooked by smoking on charcoal or wood fire fall on the coal and cause these compounds to form. The hydrocarbons formed adhere to the surface of the meat through smoke and have a carcinogenic effect as a result of human consumption. Studies have shown that smoked foods increase the risk of colon and stomach cancer.” .
RISK OF CANCER AS A RESULT OF OBESITY ALSO INCREASE
Dr. Instructor Member Fatma Mert Biberoğlu added the following to the risk factors:
“It is known that eating habits affect approximately 35 percent of cancer development. Obesity, which occurs as a result of excessive body weight gain, is one of the important risk factors. It is known that obesity increases the risk of esophageal, large intestine, breast and kidney cancers. When more fat/saturated fat is consumed than the daily requirement. As a result of the increase in body fat, the working order of sex hormones can be disrupted, thus increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancer types (breast, prostate, testis, uterus, ovary and large intestine-rectum).
ATTENTION TO OVER CONSUMPTION OF MEAT
Breast, uterus, prostate, large intestine-rectum, pancreatic and kidney cancers are more common as a result of consuming a lot of animal protein due to excessive meat consumption. Consumption of saturated fat increases, especially when high amounts of animal protein are taken. Therefore, instead of consuming high-fat or processed meat, alternative protein sources such as eggs, fish, chicken or legumes should be cooked with healthy cooking methods and consumed. Since consumption of more than recommended red meat increases the risk of colon-rectum cancer, it is stated that adults should be limited to approximately 350-500 grams per week and processed meat should be reduced drastically. Due to the high consumption of refined sugar, the glycemic index and load of the diet increase. Thus, obesity develops by causing hormone imbalance in the body. The risk of cancer increases as a result of obesity. “
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROTECTING CANCER
Listing the recommendations for healthy nutrition to prevent cancer, Biberoğlu said, “Processed and refined foods should be avoided, fresh vegetables and fruits should be half of every meal, at least 5 portions should be consumed per day. Added sugars should be limited to less than 5 percent of daily energy intake, carbohydrate intake should be limited to Sources should primarily include legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.Consumption of oily seeds (such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts) and olive oil should be increased, saturated fat consumption should be avoided.Fish, chicken, legumes should be preferred rather than red meat consumption, and vegetables and fruits should be consumed. Daily fiber intake should be increased by increasing the consumption of whole grains.To reduce fat intake, meals should be cooked with less oil, meat dishes should be cooked with their own fat without adding oil, boiling, grilling, cooking methods should be preferred instead of cooking methods such as frying and roasting. Tobacco products and alcohol should not be consumed “To reach ideal body weight, healthy eating principles should be followed, and an active life should be preferred instead of a sedentary life.”
(DHA)