Cancer Control Month: Plant-iful Prevention
By Suzanne Morris, DVM, MWC
Started by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1939, National Cancer Control Month (April) focuses on cancer prevention.[1,2] So, I thought I would look at general cancer prevention guidelines and recommendations in relation to plant-based diets.
Upon reviewing the factors that increase the risk of cancer, such as certain infections, environmental pollutants, obesity, and smoking, diet remains a point of debate, depending upon which health organization guideline is referenced. While the National Cancer Institute (NCI) views the data on diet for cancer prevention as insufficient, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has issued guidelines on diet and physical activity as cancer prevention measures.[3,4] These recommendations describe a healthy diet that comprises a variety of differently colored vegetables, high-fiber legumes, variously colored fruits, and whole grains. The ACS also advises limiting or eliminating processed and red meats from the diet (along with eliminating processed or refined grain foods and beverages sweetened with sugar). At the same time, the ACS guidelines acknowledge the “challenging” nature of studying diet in relation to cancer. Adding to the challenge are the varied and changing dietary patterns of populations and the changing supplies of foods, which obscure exposure periods.[5]
However, the ACS notes that, generally, plant-based dietary patterns are the most health-beneficial.[5] More specifically, the ACS advises that a diet high in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of cancer. Among its tips for healthier eating, the ACS recommends making beans, vegetables, and whole grain foods the main dish for a meal. It also suggests trying a variety of bean-based dishes and selecting a vegetarian dish when eating out as just a couple of the many strategies for increasing plant-based foods in the diet.[6] The Mayo Clinic also recommends a diet based on fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods like beans and whole grains.[7]
Similarly, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) has developed a “New American Plate” meal formula that calls for ≥ 2/3 beans, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and ≤ 1/3 animal protein. This is based upon its recommendations for eating a diet composed mostly of plant foods and that limits intake of dairy and meat. In addition, the AICR notes that, if highly processed, or high in fat or sugar, plant-based foods can be counterproductive by contributing to overweight, and, in turn, increasing cancer risk.[8,9] However, in acknowledgement of the difficulty people have with dietary change, the AICR provides some guidance on a gradual dietary transition. For visual aid, the AICR provides photos of what the ideal portions of foods look like on a plate, including a photo of the “transitional plate” to serve as an acclimating bridge to the healthier “New American Plate” from the standard, or “old,” American plate.[8]
As the plates change, so do the months, and May signals an exploration of the relationship between plant-based eating and inflammatory disease.
References:
1. The American Presidency Project. Proclamation 2324—Cancer Control Month, 1939. March 17, 1939. Accessed April 3, 2023. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-2324-cancer-control-month-1939
2. Biden JR. A Proclamation on National Cancer Control Month, 2023. The White House Briefing Room. March 31, 2023. Accessed April 3, 2023. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/03/31/a-proclamation-on-national-cancer-control-month-2023/
3. American Cancer Society (ACS). ACS Cancer Prevention Blueprint Targets Controllable Risk Factors. January 19, 2019. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/acs-cancer-prevention-blueprint-targets-controllable-risk-factors
4. National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (NIH/NCI). Cancer prevention overview (PDQ®) – patient version. Updated October 13, 2022. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/patient-prevention-overview-pdq
5. Rock CL, Thomson C, Gansler T, et al. American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020;70(4):245-271. doi:10.3322/caac.21591
6. American Cancer Society (ACS). Tips for eating healthier. Revised October 18, 2021. Accessed April 3, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/eat-healthy-get-active/eat-healthy/add-fruits-and-veggies-to-your-diet.html
7. Mayo Clinic Staff. Cancer prevention: 7 tips to reduce your risk. December 9, 2022. Accessed April 10, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/cancer-prevention/art-20044816
8. American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). New American Plate. 2023. Accessed April 11, 2023. https://www.aicr.org/cancer-prevention/healthy-eating/new-american-plate/
9. Wiseman M. The second World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research expert report. Food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. Proc Nutr Soc. 2008;67(3):253-256. doi:10.1017/S002966510800712