Whole Grains: Good For The Whole Body
The next time you step up to the deli counter, remember this: Bland white bread can’t compete with hearty whole wheat in taste or nutrition. Maybe you’ve heard about revised federal nutrition guidelines that recommend half of all the grains you eat — rice, cereal, and even chips — should be whole. That’s why even sugary kids’ cereals and frozen pizzas are loading up on whole-grain ingredients.
Whole grains deliver plenty of fiber, but while diets high in vegetables and fruits have been linked with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer, it isn’t yet clear how dietary components, such as fiber and certain types of fats, affect colorectal cancer risk. Still, whole grains contain other substances that might battle cancer, including lignans, which act as antioxidants, and saponins, which could keep cancer cells from multiplying. Look for bread labeled “100% whole wheat” rather than simply “wheat bread,” which likely contains refined grains. For even more lignans, choose a whole wheat bread sprinkled with flax or sesame seeds.
Show Sources
World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research: “Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective.”
HelpGuide.org: “Cancer Prevention Diet.”
National Cancer Institute: “Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention ” “Cruciferous Vegetables and Cancer Prevention ” “Questions and Answers About Lycopene ” and “Garlic and Cancer Prevention.”
Cancer.net: “Food and Cancer Prevention.”
Certain Foods May Lower Your Risk For Bladder Cancer
When it comes to preventing bladder cancer, food plays an important role. These fruits, veggies, and beverages offer powerful ways to arm yourself against bladder diseases.
- Remove harmful chemicals with veggies. Bladder cancer can sometimes be the result of chemicals staying in your bladder for too long. Drinking tea and eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, or asparagus can keep things flowing. They can even help slow down or prevent bladder cancer growth.
- Reach for the fruit basket. Antioxidant-packed citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, limes, and lemons help lower your cancer risk. They help keep your bladder clean and functioning properly. Plus, having these antioxidant-rich foods in your arsenal is just what you need now for a stronger immune system.
- Refresh with toxin-fighting tea. The next time you meet a friend for coffee, choose a cup of decaffeinated tea instead. Many teas will do the trick, but black, oolong, and green tea without caffeine can remove toxins from your body and lower your risk for bladder cancer.
- Remember the water. People who drink a lot of fluids, especially water, tend to have lower rates of bladder cancer because they empty their bladders more often, keeping chemicals from lingering too long. Make it your goal to drink enough fluids each day to stay hydrated. Water and other liquids are important for helping cells function, transporting nutrients and oxygen, and protecting organs and tissues.
Can I Ever Be Sure The Cancer Will Never Come Back
No, its not possible to guarantee that once you have completed cancer treatment the cancer will never come back. Although your doctor may say, The cancer is gone or I think I removed all the cancer or I see no evidence of any cancer, the fact remains that theres always a chance that there are some cancer cells left in your body that survived, even though they cant be seen or found with any test used today. Over time, these cells can begin to grow again.
While you dont want to ever think about the chance of having a second cancer one thats not related to the first cancer this is also possible. Having one cancer doesnt make you immune to having a second or even a third different cancer.
Also Check: What Happens With Bladder Cancer
Take Steps To Reduce Your Bladder Cancer Risk
While you dont have any control over some of your bladder cancer risk factors, you can take steps in some areas to reduce risk:
Dont smoke. This means that cancer-causing chemicals contained in smoke wont have a chance to collect in your bladder. If you currently smoke, stop. Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation programs and support.
Take care with chemicals. If you work with or around chemicals, follow all safety rules to avoid exposure.
Drink water, stay properly hydrated. Drinking water may dilute harmful substances in your urine and flush them out of your bladder faster. Experts havent found conclusive evidence showing drinking water reduces bladder cancer risk, but it may help, says Dr. Grivas.
Eat a well-balanced diet. Eat a diverse variety of fruits and vegetables, nuts and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as lean protein reduce fat and red meat.
Report any symptoms. You have the best chance of surviving when bladder cancer is in its earliest stages . But if it is diagnosed late, the survival may be less than 25 percent.
Although there is no clear evidence that screening of general population without symptoms can reduce bladder cancer deaths, it is vital to establish and maintain good relationship with your primary care doctor and tell him or her immediately about any urination issues .
Dont forget to discuss any family history of cancer as well, so your doctor fully understands your risk level.
What About Supplements For Bladder Cancer
You might have heard doctors advise against dietary supplements for preventing cancer. Doctors suggest obtaining nutrients from food instead of supplements since herbal and nutrient supplements can interact with medicine and cause adverse reactions. Talk to your doctor first if you want to use dietary supplements to protect your urinary tract.
In the winter months, many people develop a vitamin D deficiency, which can also be seen in those with darker skin pigmentation or who spend a lot of time indoors. BCAN says researchers have linked vitamin D and iron deficiencies with a higher risk of bladder cancer.
Broccoli sprout pills, green tea or curcumin supplements have become popular natural supplements for those undergoing bladder cancer treatments. However, studies fail to provide conclusive evidence of their benefits among humans:
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Taking the curcumin supplement during bladder cancer treatment seemed to decrease tumor size in mice but not humans.
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Broccoli sprout extract inhibited bladder cancer growth in vitro in cells
Probiotics are an interesting supplement that can colonize your gut with healthy bacteria, especially during or after antibiotic treatment. However, it’s advisable you begin by following a healthy diet, and this includes obtaining your nutrients from food. There aren’t any supplements found effective in decreasing your risk of bladder cancer as of yet.
Also Check: Reasons For Lack Of Bladder Control
What About Superfoods For Bladder Cancer
You’ll benefit your health the most by consuming a balanced diet that includes a combination of different foods, including vegetables and fruit that have anti-cancer properties. Rather than searching for a “superfood,” aim for a “superdiet” by sticking to the recommended guidelines for healthy eating.
Disclosure Of Potential Conflicts Of Interest
N.M. Hahn is a consultant/advisory board member for AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech/Roche, Merck, and OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals. C.G. Drake reports receiving commercial research grants from Aduro Biotech, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Janssen has ownership interest in Compugen, NexImmune, Potenza Therapeutics, and Tizona Therapeutics and is a consultant/advisory board member for Agenus, Argos Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Compugen, F-star Biotechnology , Janssen, and MedImmune. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed by the other authors.
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How Could This Change Treatment For Bladder Cancer Patients
Its a major advance. The standard of care for these patients has been observation because no chemotherapy or immunotherapy has shown a benefit. A few years ago, another immunotherapy drug, atezolizumab, was tested in an international trial on the same kind of patients and had disappointing results. So, the absence of good treatment options has been frustrating for both patients and doctors to know someone has high-risk disease and yet not be able to offer them a treatment to reduce recurrence. Now for the first time, a new immunotherapy accomplishes exactly that.
Its too early to know whether nivolumab will also allow these patients to live longer. This was a double-blinded study, meaning neither doctor nor patient knows who received the drug, and it will take a while longer to learn about the impact on survival. But its important not to be focused only on survival and overlook that patients truly benefit by preventing or delaying the cancers return. This type of urothelial cancer is an aggressive disease no matter where it starts. When it recurs, patients suffer a serious drop in quality of life, and it impairs their functional ability. So, disease-free survival is very important in its own right. Its also important to note the vast majority of patients taking the drug still had a high quality of life without serious side effects, which were monitored very closely during the trial.
Role Of Diet In Bladder Cancer
Although tobacco smoking and exposure to chemicals are considered as the major risk factors/causes for bladder cancer, diet may also play an important role in increasing or reducing the risk of this cancer. In this blog, we will elaborate on some of the studies carried out by researchers across the world, which evaluated the association between the intake of different types of foods/diet and the risk of bladder cancer.
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Sexuality And Feeling Good About Your Body
Bladder cancer treatment can often affect your sex life. Learning to be comfortable with your body during and after bladder cancer treatment is a personal journey, one that’s different for everyone. Information and support can help you cope with these changes over time. Learn more in Fertility and Sexual Side Effects in People with Cancer.
Cut Down On Sugar And Refined Carbs
Consuming refined carbs that cause rapid spikes in blood sugar has been linked to an 88% greater risk of prostate cancer, as well as other serious health problems.
Instead of sugary soft drinks, sweetened cereals, white bread, pasta and processed foods like pizza, opt for unrefined whole grains like whole wheat or multigrain bread, brown rice, barley, quinoa, bran cereal, oatmeal, and non-starchy vegetables. It could lower your risk for colorectal and prostate cancer as well as help you reach a healthy weight.
Read Also: How To Keep Bladder Infections Away
Lower Your Risk With Antioxidants
Plant-based foods are rich in nutrients known as antioxidants that boost your immune system and help protect against cancer cells.
- Diets high in fruit may lower the risk of stomach and lung cancer.
- Eating vegetables containing carotenoids, such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, and squash, may reduce the risk of lung, mouth, pharynx, and larynx cancers.
- Diets high in non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and beans, may help protect against stomach and esophageal cancer.
- Eating oranges, berries, peas, bell peppers, dark leafy greens and other foods high in vitamin C may also protect against esophageal cancer.
- Foods high in lycopene, such as tomatoes, guava, and watermelon, may lower the risk of prostate cancer.
A Providence Physician Introduces Foods That Can Help A Sensitive Bladder
National Bladder Health Awareness Month in November is a time to raise awareness about bladder care. One of the best ways to do that is with a healthy diet. Good nutrition can help prevent all kinds of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Whether youre hoping to lower your risk or maintain a healthy lifestyle after cancer treatment, the foods you eat are a crucial piece of the puzzle. Weve put together some must-have food tips that can help you feel good, keep your bladder healthy and improve your overall health.
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Are There Benefits To Juicing For Those With Bladder Cancer
Juicing does increase the nutrients you consume daily. It can also benefit people who have difficulty chewing and/or digesting their food.
However, when using a juicer, you remove the fiber from produce, which is an essential nutrient for gut health. If you’re not having difficulties feeding, you should get your five servings of fruit and vegetables before you juice, and then add on the juicing of fruits and vegetables. You may want to add in more veggies than fruits since they have less sugar.
You may want to add protein to your juice if you have issues maintaining a normal blood sugar level. Keep in mind when buying pre-made juices from the grocery store that many don’t have the nutrients your body requires as it fights cancer, so thoroughly read labels before buying anything.
Bladder Cancer Treatment Symptoms: Diarrhea
Diarrhea is also associated with bladder cancer treatment. Stay hydrated as much as possible to replace the fluid loss that comes with diarrhea. Before drinking carbonated liquids, let them lose their fizz since carbonation contributes to gas and discomfort.
Consume smaller meals and replace your electrolytes like potassium and sodium through apricots, bananas, broth and nuts. Consume low-fiber, lower-residue foods too. Drink your beverages and eat foods at room temperature, and try to avoid:
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Greasy and spicy foods
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Alcohol
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Reducing The Recurrence Of Non
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Build A Better Bladder With Good Food And Healthy Habits
Food alone cant prevent bladder diseases. But studies are clear: A diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and other plant foods can lower your risk. Good nutrition along with other healthy habits such as not smoking and staying active can help you keep this important little muscle in good working order.
Recommended Reading: How To Find Out If You Have Bladder Cancer
The Bladder Cancer Prognosis Programme
This study is part of the Bladder Cancer Prognosis Programme , a prospective cohort study in the West Midlands region of England. Details of the cohort have been published previously . Briefly, during the enrolment period , a total of 1,550 male and female patients were enrolled based on abnormal cystoscopic findings suggestive of bladder cancer. Case report forms contained data on tumor characteristics, initial treatment, and event data including recurrences. Bladder cancer recurrence was defined as the new occurrence of a NMIBC at the same or at a different site as the initial primary bladder tumor and excluding recurrence identified at the first check cystoscopy. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The study protocol was approved by the Nottingham Research Ethics Committee and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov .
Are There Foods That Can Help Prevent Recurrence
Roughly 75 percent of bladder cancer cases are non-muscle invasive. About 60 to 70 percent of cases of this type of cancer will recur. Regular follow-up appointments with your care team are important to monitor your health.
Theres no one way of eating thats proven to reduce the risk of recurrence. Some studies link eating lots of fruits and vegetables to a lower risk of bladder cancer. However, a 2018 review suggested vegetable intake does not play a role in preventing recurrence.
A diet high in fruits and vegetables is still recommended for other reasons. It can reduce your risk of other cancers and heart disease.
A 2010 study of 239 people with bladder cancer looked at whether eating cruciferous vegetables, mainly broccoli, had any effect on survival. People who ate the most broccoli tended to live longer. These positive effects on survival were seen even with one serving of raw broccoli per month.
Still, more research is needed in this area before any diet or food is widely recommended for the prevention of bladder cancer recurrence.
Summary
Although theres no clear evidence that any foods will prevent bladder cancer recurrence, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits may help. It also supports overall health.
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Targeting The Tumor Microenvironment In Ubc
CSF1R.
CSF1R is a cell surface receptor expressed predominantly on macrophages and monocytes . This agent may be important in UBC because macrophages exist on a continuum from an M1 to an M2 phenotype and the presence of M2 macrophages in the UBC stroma has been associated with BCG immunotherapy failure . CSF1 ligation promotes the skewing of macrophages to the M2 phenotype, so blocking CSF1, or depleting CSF1R-expressing cells promotes the development of antitumor M1 macrophages, and has been shown to be efficacious in animal studies . A relatively specific small-molecule inhibitor of CSF1R is now undergoing clinical evaluation in a phase I/II trial in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced cancers including UBC . mAbs targeting CSF1R have also been generated . Targeting TAMs represents a potentially important alternative approach to tumor immunotherapy, particularly in combination with T-celldirected agents like antiPD-1/PD-L1 .
IDO1: a metabolic approach to T-cell dysfunction.
Egg Consumption And Bladder Cancer Risk
A meta-analysis done by the researchers from the Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou in China based on data from 4 cohort studies and 9 case-control studies involving 2715 cases and 184,727 participants, obtained through literature search in the PubMed database till February 2012 found no significant association between egg consumption and bladder cancer risk.
However, based on a limited number of studies, a possible relationship with increased intake of fried eggs with bladder cancer risk was suggested. hence, avoid or limit fried foods like fried eggs to reduce the risk of bladder cancer.
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