Some cancer can destroy your body like a colonizing army as toxic cell killers grow non-stop into rapidly morphing tumors.
Few cancers, like genetic ones, are out of our control, but others can be caused by our actions and our environment.
Living dangerously can increase your risk of cancer.
Revyuh is here to help you lower it. Read on to discover our science-backed guide to the best foods that can help stay cancer-free — and which ones to stay away from.
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Prostate cancer
What to EAT: Cooked tomatoes. Men who consumed cooked, canned tomatoes five or six times a week had a 28 percent decreased risk compared to men who never ate them.
The study, funded by the World Cancer Research Fund, said the same effect was not seen in raw tomatoes.
It is thought to be down to the lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, levels of which rise when they are cooked.
What to LIMIT: Cheese. Experts at the Mayo Clinic in America found that men who consumed high levels of dairy – from cheese, milk, and butter to yoghurt – were up to 76 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer.
Those on a vegan diet reduced their risk by a fifth.
It is thought dairy may raise levels of a growth hormone and boost calcium levels, both of which have been linked to prostate tumors.
Liver cancer
What to DRINK: Coffee. A report published by the British Liver Trust in June 2016 confirms coffee is good for liver health.
Not only does it lower the risk of cancer, it may also reduce the risk of other liver conditions including fibrosis and cirrhosis.
It doesn’t matter how you drink it either. Filtered, instant and espresso all had the same beneficial effects.
What to LIMIT: Microwave meals. Whether it’s pies, bacon sarnies, or ready meals, research has shown that too much processed food is bad for your liver and may lead to tumours.
Experts believe it is because they are often high in fat, sugar, and salt and have fewer vitamins and fiber that ward off disease.
The chemicals and additives used to boost flavors and shelf life may also raise the risk.
Heart disease
What to EAT: Apples, pears and citrus fruits. Scientists at Imperial College London recommended eating up to ten portions of fruit and vegetables a day to reduce your chance of a heart attack.
The researchers also said some foods were better than others at protecting the heart.
These included apples and pears, citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach.
What to LIMIT: Salt. Too much can cause high blood pressure, which in turn is a risk factor for heart disease.
The agency says most of us eat 8.6g a day, well over the 6g limit recommended for adults.
Banishing the salt shaker from your table will help, but it’s not the whole problem.
The charity says a staggering 75 per cent of the salt we consume is hidden in foods we buy at the shop.
Lung cancer
What to EAT: Curry. Turmeric, a spice often used in curry, could slow the growth of tumors in certain cancers, including those in the breast, lung, and stomach.
In a study published last year, scientists at Philadelphia’s Temple University found that a compound within it, curcumin, “exhibits anti-cancer ability.”
They say that thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin prevents nutrients from being delivered to tumors and stops cancer cells from emitting harmful proteins.
What to Limit: Burgers. Eating a diet rich in saturated fat could make you more likely to develop lung cancer. It is found in processed foods such as sausages and burgers, butter, biscuits, and cakes.
Those who consume the highest levels were 14 per cent more likely to develop lung tumours, according to researchers in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Cervical cancer
What to EAT: Avocados, lentils, fortified cereals and strawberries.
All these foods contain high levels of folate, a B vitamin that may protect against cervical cancer.
A study carried out by a team of Chinese researchers last year found that low blood folate levels in women meant they were more likely to develop the HPV virus and go on to develop cancer.
While diet can help reduce your risk, it’s also important to stop smoking and take regular cervical screening tests.
What to LIMIT: Fried foods. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of cervical cancer so it’s a good idea to avoid foods that are high in saturated fat, such as pizza, chips, and fatty takeaways.
Also avoid processed meats, refined sugar, and foods high in trans saturated fats.
These foods are linked with obesity which can further increase the risk of bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer
What to EAT: Brown rice, oats, chickpeas, apples, peas and carrots.
Fiber is really essential for lowering your risk of bowel cancer.
You should have insoluble fiber – such as brown rice, nuts, and seeds to break up poo – and soluble fiber, which dissolves in water and forms a gel in the gut, making poo soft and easier to pass.
Staying hydrated is also great for bowel health.
Avoid sugary drinks and try water or low-fat milk. Drink six to eight glasses of fluid a day to prevent dehydration.
What to LIMIT: Red meat. Too much processed or red meat can double your risk of bowel cancer.
Bowel Cancer UK recommends eating no more than 500g of cooked red meat a week.
One portion of spaghetti bolognese contains around 140g of cooked mince, a steak is around 145g and a medium pork chop around 90g.
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Breast cancer
What to EAT: Broccoli and brussels sprouts. Researchers at Harvard in the US found that women who eat five and a half portions of fruit and vegetables every day reduced their risk of developing the disease by 11 percent.
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and yellow pepper had the most protective effect, they claimed.
What to LIMIT: Fizzy drinks. French scientists claimed just 100ml of sugary drink a day – around one-third of a typical can – is enough to raise your risk by 22 percent. Fruit juice was just as risky.
The researchers believe that sugar in the drinks causes our bodies to store fat around organs such as the liver and pancreas, and this has been linked to a higher risk of cancer.
High blood sugar levels, inflammation and additives in the drinks may also be to blame.