Can supplements prevent cancer?

While research has shown that wholegrains, fruits, vegetables contain many components that may protect against cancer, there is no evidence that taking a particular herb, food or supplement can cure or prevent cancer.

The benefits of eating a diet containing plenty of wholegrains, fruits and vegetables in terms of cancer reduction, are probably due to a combination of factors in food, such as antioxidants and dietary fibre. These foods also have benefits in terms of helping with weight control because they are more filling and less energy dense, thus preventing obesity, a factor known to increase the risk of cancer.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recently published an article detailing fake cancer cures that cancer patients should be aware of. The website lists numerous products that are currently marketed as cancer cures and points out that some of these products can actually be harmful to cancer survivors. For more details about the specific products identified by the FDA go to the 125 fake cancer cures link.

If you are interested in taking any form of complementary therapy it is important to find out as much as you can about the product and the research backing it. Take claims that suggest the product will cure cancer with caution, as it is unlikely to be true. Weigh up the cost of the treatment compared to the benefits. And finally, check the information is from a credible website such as the Cancer Council , the products website will usually give a biased review based on their own research.

It is also important to mention the product you are taking to your treating doctor as it could affect your treatment.