Cancer Prevention: Get busy living or get busy dying

If you don't recognize the latter half of the title to this posting, you must not have TNT or TBS as networks on your TV. I know I do, and I have had the privilege of hearing that quote many, many times in the movie Shawshank Redemption (as an aside... if you haven't seen the movie, you should. It's pretty good.) But anyway, I digress.

I love this quote. It has so much meaning in so many ways. But for the purpose of this discussion, it will be used to illustrate a principal that applies to a subject I have grown almost uncomfortably close with over the years--cancer prevention. I have had the opportunity in the last 14 years or so to watch my mother go through cancer treatment twice, while her mother and sister went through it once each (and that doesn't even begin to touch on the nameless other relatives who have been lost to the battle.) Today, as follow up to a recent PET Scan, she'll find out yet again, whether or not it's a road she'll be traveling down in the very near future. Time (or in this case, hours) will tell.

But this site and the information contained therein is focused on health, nutrition and how the two collide in our daily lives... and especially our kitchen. So that's where we'll spend our time. As I was reflecting on this thought this morning, I was reminded of a debate that seems to be raging in the food community right now: the organic vs. non-organic choice. My mind began to wander into my own pantry and 'fridge, and I began to question whether or not I'm making the "best" choices for the health of this family.

The organic vs. non-organic issue is complex. I don't dare suppose to imply that I'm gonna solve it here (nor do I really think anyone else, even more learned than me, out there has the exact "right" answer.) I see the battle as being much more complex than saying it's a "nutritional" issue, or an "environmental" issue. In many ways, it's an economical issue as we consider the origins of food... and the impact it has to our local economies, most notably our local farmers.

Recent research seems to point to the fact that nutritionally speaking, organics probably are very similar to non-organics. But as many of my food colleagues have pointed out, just knowing that two oranges have the same vitamin C content doesn't necessarily mean they're equal in terms of health. Pesticide residues and the like are real concerns as we consider the toxins and impurities our bodies are fighting on a daily basis.

Because I've opened up the organic can here, I think it's also worth mentioning that for many folks, the debate is mostly an environmental one... not as much what "non-organic" farms doing to our bodies, but rather to our environment. This is one I dare not tackle. I'm no expert, but I do know that to me, if you're concerned about the environment, I don't think choosing a peach shipped in from Chile stamped with an "organic" sticker is really saving the world, when there may be a very reputable local peach farmer at the farmers market with great produce who's farm also needs saving. But again, I digress.

My real point is this: Cancer Prevention is about living comprehensively and proactively. If you don't believe me, check out the American Institute of Cancer Research's Recommendations for Cancer Prevention:

1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day.
3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fiber, or high in fat).
4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans.
5. Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats.
6. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day.
7. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).
8. Don't use supplements to protect against cancer.

Special Population Recommendations

1. It is best for mothers to breastfeed exclusively for up to 6 months and then add other liquids and foods.
2. After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the recommendations for cancer prevention.

And always remember – do not smoke or chew tobacco.

(Side note: I love their last recommendation. Notice the bold and ital. This is no coincidence.)

Anyway, you see that their list is very comprehensive and inclusive. It's not about cutting out one food or one habit, it's about building a healthier lifestyle--a lifestyle where we ask of ourselves not just is that apple organic, but 1) Am I gonna eat it and all it's other superfood friends and 2) What else am I gonna do today to make a positive impact on my health?

Simply put, "You gotta get busy living or get busy dying."