AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY GUIDELINES – FOR CANCER PREVENTION
Alcohol
Does alcohol increase cancer risk?
Alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, and breast. People who drink alcohol should limit their intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine,or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Alcohol
Does alcohol increase cancer risk?
Alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, and breast. People who drink alcohol should limit their intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine,or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. The combination of alcohol and tobacco increases the risk of cancer far more than the independent effects of either drinking or smoking. Regular consumption of even a few drinks per week is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women.Women at high risk of breast cancer may consider abstaining from alcohol.
Coffee
Does drinking coffee cause cancer?
Caffeine may heighten symptoms of fibrocystic breast lumps (a type of benign breast disease) in some women, but there is no evidence that it increases the risk of breast cancer or other types of cancer.The association between coffee and pancreatic cancer,widely publicized in the past,has not been confirmed by other studies
Obesity
Does being overweight increase cancer risk?
Yes. Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for cancers of the breast (among postmenopausal women), colon, endometrium, gallbladder, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, pancreas, renal cell (kidney) carcinoma, and possibly other sites as well
Tea
Can drinking tea reduce cancer risk?
Some researchers have proposed that tea might protect against cancer because of its antioxidants contents. In animal studies, some teas (including green tea) have been shown to reduce cancer risk, but epidemiological studies have had mixed findings. Presently, tea has not been proven to reduce cancer risk in humans
Vegetarian Diets
Do vegetarian diets reduce cancer risk?
Vegetarian diets include many healthpromoting features; they tend to be low in saturated fat and high in fiber, vitamins, and phytochemicals (e.g., flavonoids, etc.). It is not possible to conclude at this time,however,that a vegetarian diet has any special benefits for the prevention of cancer.Vegetarian diets differ in composition, although all avoid consumption of red meat. A vegetarian diet can be quite healthful if it is carefully planned and provides adequate calories.Diets including lean meats in small to moderate amounts can be just as healthful. The greater the restriction of food groups in a particular diet,the more possibility there is of dietary deficiencies.Strict vegetarian diets that avoid all animal products, including milk and eggs, should be supplemented with vitamin B12, zinc, and iron (especially for children and premenopausal women
Water and Other Fluids
How much water and other fluids should I drink?
Consumption of water and other liquids may reduce the risk of bladder cancer, as water dilutes the concentration of carcinogens and shortens the time in which they are in contact with the bladder lining.Drinking at least eight cups of liquid a day is usually recommended, and some studies indicate that even more may be beneficial