Cancer-Fighting Foods

Six months ago, I received a shocking diagnosis: breast cancer. My life went into a spin, and the only thing that kept me sane at that moment was research. I surfed the Internet, devoured books and asked a lot of questions. Many things were beyond my control, but the one immediate course of action for me was to evaluate and alter my diet.

There is a lot of information out there about foods to prevent cancer, alleviate side effects during cancer treatment and foods to keep the cancer cells at bay after treatment. The following are some practices that I could immediately implement in my life. I am making small but steady changes in my diet and trying to phase out sugar as much as possible. 

Two books that helped me compile a list of good and bad foods are Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen by Annette Ramke and Kendall Scott and Anticancer: A New Way Of Life by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber.

First off, some sources say that cancer does not survive in an alkaline environment, so eating a lot of green vegetables from the cruciferous family is important. It’s time to get creative, cooking with broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, Bok Choy and Brussels sprouts. They help prevent pre-cancerous cells from becoming malignant tumors. Also, I usually start my morning off with a small glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice to promote an alkaline environment in my body.

Leafy greens are a must in your anti-cancer diet. They are full of fiber, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, chlorophyll and vitamins A, C, E and K, and they contain high levels of phytochemicals, which help prevent and fight cancer. Kale, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, arugula (rocket) and endives are great leafy greens.

It is the season for fresh mushrooms, which are a good source of Vitamin B and selenium. These antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Add some Shiitake, Portabella or white button mushrooms to your next risotto, soup or stir-fry.

A delicious cancer-fighting food is berries. Sweet blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and cranberries all contain substances that help eliminate carcinogens from the body, hinder the ability of cancer cells to set up their own blood vessel systems, and encourage cancer cells to self-destruct. Toss some berries into your oatmeal, muesli, cereals, salads or yogurt. They are also great for snacking.

Omega 3-rich foods have been shown to reduce cancer cell growth in some tumors. These are found in fatty fish like salmon, as well as in flax seeds and flax seed oil, walnuts and algae.

Green tea, perhaps especially Japanese green tea, is rich in catechins, a type of antioxidant. This can reduce the growth of new blood vessels required for tumors to grow. Pomegranate juice is also a good source.

If I feel like a snack, I eat a small handful of walnuts or almonds or Brazil nuts, which are high in selenium, a nutrient that helps reduce tumor size and inflammation.

I’ve made gradual changes and try to include a new item each week to my diet. I’ve almost weaned myself off coffee and have learned to enjoy green tea. I’ll have a cup hot in the morning and make a pitcher to sip on throughout the day. I also try to season foods with fresh herbs instead of always using salt and pepper. Tossing grains and seeds into salads and soups or yogurt not only adds additional flavor but also is good for me. I’ve made a list to hang in the kitchen of good foods, as a reminder of what to eat and what to add into certain dishes.

Diet is, of course, only one factor in preventing and fighting cancer. I also make sure to drink a lot of water, get plenty of rest and have a very positive mental attitude. I believe that a balanced mind and body is crucial in keeping cancer at bay or in ridding cancer from the body.

By Naree Rüegg-Jones

Naree is an American who has been living in Switzerland since 1994. She is the mother of three teenage daughters. 

Illustrations by Albina Nogueira

Albina Nogueira has been a primary school teacher since 1992, and a writer and illustrator since 2006. She currently lives in Switzerland, but her homeland is Portugal. She is also the author of Letters to Grandparents and Hairdresser. To find out more: like her on Facebook  or see her books in Amazon.