BY ,YVONNE OPANGA

NUTRITION IN CANCER PREVENTION AND CONTROL

DiabetesCancer

Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Cardiovascular Disease

Other NCDs

Physical inability

Unhealthy Diets

SmokingObesityHarmful uses of alcohol

EPIDEMILOGY OF CANCER

Global Level60% of Annual global mortality is due to non

communicable diseases ;Cancers, Cardiovascular diseases, Chronic Respiratory Infections and Diabetes.

7.9 million die of cancer related conditions about 13% of the Total Annual Global Mortality.(WHO,2009)

The double burden of disease in developing countries has resulted to strained health systems.

CANCER SITUATION IN KENYA

The third killer disease in the country after infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

7% of the total annual mortality rates .The annual incidence of cancer is about 28,000 cases per year and 22,000 patients die of cancer in the country per year(KEMRI)

Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancers and Oesophagus cancer are the leading cancers among women while Oesophagus, Prostate and Karposi Sarcoma are the leading among men.

CONTINUED …….

The most common cancers are breast cancer 23.3%, cervical cancer 20% and Prostate cancer at 9.4%.

2354 women were diagnosed of cervical cancer and 65% died in 2006(KEMRI, 2006)

Majority (60%) of the affected clients are below the age of 70 years.

The risk of getting cancer below the age of 75 years is at 14% while 12% is for risk of those above the age of 75 years.

NUTRITION AND CANCER

Relationship;Type of food we eatQuantity of foodMethod of food preparation, processing and preservationBalance: Energy Intake and output Physical Activity

Nutrition Aspects that Link to Cancer

Nutrition Status; Overweight and Obesity

Physical Activity

Food Processing, preservation and Preparation

Type of food; Junk, plant sources and animal sources

Alcohol Intake

Exclusive Breast feeding

Dietary Supplements

Nutrition Status

Obesity and Overweight predisposes one cancers, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes.

Trunkal Obesity is linked to stomach cancer and other CVDs.

CONTINUED…….

● Research indicates that obesity increases our risks to colorectum, oesophagus, pancrease, kidney and breast cancers

● Body mass Index(BMI) computed as wt/h2 enables you to know your nutrition status

Categories of Nutrition StatusUnderweight >18kg/m2Normal >18.5- 24.9 kg/m2Overweight >25.0 -30.0 kg/m2Obesity >30.0 kg/m2Extreme Obesity >40.0 kg/m2

Continued….

● Waist Circumference and Hip circumference can also help you determine your risk to cancers

● Waist circumference of 94cm in men and 80cm in women is normal

● 102 cm for men and 88cm for women indicates overweight and obesity

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Physical activity of all types prevents against cancers and also against obesity and heart diseases.

How much do we exercise per day?

PYRAMID OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Contd..

Limit: Limit physical inactivity and sedentary habits. 2-3 times a week

Participate in activities that increase flexibility, strength and endurance of the muscle as many as 2-3 times a week.E.g. stretching, partial sit up, push up, leg press, sit and reach exercise, weight lifting.

5-6 times a weekAccumulate at least 30 minutes per day of moderate intensity physical activity on at least 5-6 days a week, preferably daily.Jogging, walking, aerobic exercise, participate in games hiking, swimming, dancing, skipping rope.

EverydayBe active everyday in as many ways as you can. E.g take every opportunity to walk, housework, gardening, increase walking up and down the stairs.

Type, Quantity and Quality of food

Junk: High in energy, highly processed foods and sugary drinks promote weight gain hence risk to cancers.

QUANTITY AND QUALITY

How much do we consume in a day?

What is the quality of food we eat?

Plant food

Diets high in vegetables and fruits protect us against cancers

Antioxidants; Cancer fighting components in fruits and vegetables for examples; lycopene, beta carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin A

Fiber content reduces the risks to colon and stomach cancer

Selenium, Vitamin C and Vitamin A present in fruits and Vegetables boosts the immunity hence preventing cancers.

ANIMAL FOOD

Animal proteins are usually high in saturated fats that pose a risk to obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

Red meat ie beef, lamb, porkResearch indicates that Red meat is a risk

factor to colorectal and liver cancers.Method of preparation poses a risk to many

cancersIe ‘nyama choma’has a higher risk of cancer

than boiled

Method of Food preparation, processing and preservation

Preparation: Smoking, heating proteins at high temperatures, deep frying,

Grilling, steaming, boiling reduces cancer risks

Processing: Processed meats

Continued….

Preservation: Grains that are not well preserved

and stored expose one to aflatoxins that pose risks to liver cancer.

Store your grain in well aerated areas free from moisture.

Drug and Substance Abuse

Exclusive Breastfeeding

Exclusive breast feeding for 6 months has shown to prevent against breast, cervical and ovarian cancers especially among women of reproductive age.

Encourage our sisters, mothers, aunties to exclusive breastfeed.

Dietary Supplements

Supplements do not prevent cancer instead some can cause adverse effects due to intoxication, over supplementation

Content in some of the over the counter supplements

Sold in the country has not been fully determined

Instead seek advice from a professional nutritionist or dietician.

NUTRITION TIPS

Be as lean as possible and maintain your body weight within the normal BMI range.

Avoid weight gain especially increasing of the waist circumference

Be physically active as part of everyday lifeCarry out at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise

dailyConsume junk or fast foods sparinglyLimit the intake of sugary drinks; Sodas, juices

Continued….

Diet should contain mostly foods of plant originConsume variety if fruits and vegetables with

different colours.Consume whole grains instead of processed

onesLimit refined starchy foodsConsume red meat in moderation and limit

intake of processed red meatsUse methods like steaming, boiling, grilling to

prepare food instead of deep frying, smoking, dry frying

CONT’D

Limit to consumption of alcohol to no more than

a drink per day for women and 2 drinks for men

Limit salt consumption and processed foods with

added salt

Do not eat mould fruits and vegetables

Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone.

LETS UNITE TO FIGHT CANCER THROUGH WHAT WE EAT AND OUR LIFESTYLES .THANK YOU