Dr. Vipul Patel, Medical, Hematologist and Oncologist at SUNY Downstate Medical Center recently gave a presentation and talk on Cancer Prevention and Screening to a large group of members at the Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham in New Jersey last weekend.
Patel began his presentation by mentioning how fast cancer is becoming one of the most widespread and common diseases of the world. As such, being aware of changes in the body and going for screenings for early detection was important, he said.
Symptoms to Notice : For women, Patel recommended noticing changes in breasts, fat on stomachs, irregular periods and bleeding after menopause. Other symptoms to be aware of include feeling tired, loss of body weight, tumors, prolonged coughing, prolonged headaches, abscess in mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing, irregular urine or stool, pain in stomach or gums, frequent fever or infection.
Common Causes of Cancer : Patel discussed the common causes of cancer incidence including family history, age, damage to mitochondria, environment, exposure to asbestos, diet high in trans fat or junk food, loss of muscle mass, lack of exercise, stress, exposure to micro plastics and BPA, alcohol, smoking, drugs, pollution, dust, virus, fungus, bacteria, timing of eating etc.
Patel also mentioned viruses including the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Hepatitis B and C virus, and the Helicobacter Pylori which are associated with cervical and uterine cancer, liver cancer and gastric cancer.
Skin cancer due to extreme and continued exposure to sun is also becoming very common, Patel said. But it can be prevented from occurring by certain precautions like wearing clothing which covers you fully, applying sunscreen, wearing a hat, avoiding direct sun, and wearing protective eye glasses.
PHOTO: Courtesy Vipul Patel
Screening Tests : Getting screened is one of the first thing which leads to diagnosing whether you have cancer and at what stage. Patel recommended (1) mammograms starting at age 40, and then annual after age 45, (2) regular Pap Smear with HPV after age 21, (3) annual PSA blood test and rectal exam, (4) lung cancer screening if indications occur, (5) annual skin exam (6) sigmoidoscopy, (7) colonoscopy, (8) CT endoscopy and (9) Fecal occult blood test to detect various common cancers like breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer and colon cancer.
Avoid Unhealthy Foods : Patel cautioned against using certain foods to avoid. At the top of the list was processed food or junk food. Seed oils including Canola oil, Palm oil, Corn oil, Mazola oil, Soy oil also lead to cancer.
Synthetic sugar in the form of maltodextrin, fructose syrup, corn syrup, corn starch etc also lead to cancer. Patel also warned against use of coffee pods which are made of aluminum and plastic which both go into the body when heated up in the coffee maker. Other foods mentioned by Patel were coffee creamer and tea bags.
Patel’s list of unhealthy foods included margarine, dried cranberries and raisins, crackers and cereals except oatmeal, 1% fat milk or other dairy products, low sodium cheese, milk substitutes including soy milk, breads made of enriched flour and added sugars and extra ingredients, sugar, salt, hospital foods, and school meals.
Eat Anti Inflammatory Foods : Patel recommended adding certain anti inflammatory foods in regular diets such as organic Greek yogurt, yogurt made from A2 milk, pecans, walnuts and almonds and other nuts.
Avocado oil, Coconut oil, Grapeseed oil and olive oil are heart healthy oils, he said. Stevia, Monk Fruit Sugar, Jaggery, Raw Sugar and Brown Sugar do not cause harm or inflammation, according to Patel. Keeping sugar intake low, increasing fiber, eating food with minerals and vitamins, adding sauerkraut to the food menu will be advantageous in preventing cancer incidence, he said.
Among foods which are good for the body, he mentioned arugula salad with extra virgin olive oil, broccoli, berries, pomegranates, grapes, tomatoes without seeds, avocado, olives and lemon in water. Also included in that list were Himalayan pink salt, Sea Salt, Kosher Salt and Black Salt.
Patel said keeping occasional fasts and intermittent fasting was also a healthy habit.
