Not too long ago, cancer was something we heard about mainly in older individuals. Now, however, increasingly more and more young individuals even some in their 20s and 30s are being diagnosed with cancer. It’s frightening, and a lot of people are beginning to ask themselves why this is occurring.
One of the biggest questions being asked today is: “Is the food we eat making us sick?” At Comprehensive Hematology Oncology, we’ve seen this concern more often from people seeking cancer treatment in St. Petersburg, FL. And the truth is, what we eat really does matter. In this post, we’ll discuss how the diet today particularly processed foods might be one of the causes of cancer appearing earlier in life.
What Are Processed Foods, Exactly?
Let’s begin with something straightforward. A processed food is any food that has been altered in some manner before we consume it. That could mean it was cooked, canned, frozen, packaged, or blended with other foods. Some processed foods are okay such as frozen vegetables or pre-cut salad. When folks refer to “processed foods” in a bad sense, however, they typically have in mind foods such as:
Sugary breakfast cereals
Packaged snacks such as chips and cookies
Soda and sweetened beverages
Instant noodles
Fast food burgers and french fries
Processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, and deli slices
These foods tend to carry a lot of salt, sugar, fats, and chemicals in them to make them not only delicious but also last long. But perhaps they won’t be so good for our bodies in the long term.
How Can These Foods Cause Cancer?
Now here’s where things get serious.
Cancer starts when cells in our body begin to grow in a way they shouldn’t. And while many things can cause this like genetics or environmental exposure our daily habits, especially our diet, play a big part. Let’s look at some simple reasons why processed food might raise the risk:
1. Too Much Sugar Can Be Harmful
Much of processed food is high in sugar, even seemingly innocuous foods that don’t have a strong sweet taste. If we eat too much sugar, it can trigger something called inflammation in our body. This means our body remains in “alert mode” at all times, weakening it. Chronic inflammation is one of the things that may help cancer cells to grow. Also, diets full of sugar contribute to obesity, and overweight has been connected to numerous cancers, including colon and breast cancer.
2. Processed Foods Could Have Toxic Chemicals
Hot dogs, bacon, and lunch meats tend to contain preservatives such as nitrates and nitrites to prevent them from rotting. But when these foods are cooked at high temperatures, they can create chemicals that could possibly boost cancer risk most notably colon cancer.
The World Health Organization has even stated that processed meat can be dangerous if consumed on a regular basis.
3. Too Many Calories, Too Few Vitamins and Minerals
Processed food frequently provides us with a surplus of calories but scarce vitamins and minerals. This implies that we may feel satisfied, but our body still doesn’t receive the nutrients it needs to remain healthy and combat diseases including cancer. Eventually, consuming too many of these foods makes us sick, contributes to weight gain, and can even cause problems with digestion, all of which increase our risk.
Why Are Young People Affected Now?
This is the million-dollar question: Why now? Why young people?
One explanation is that the young generation today has been consuming more processed foods than any generation prior to them. Consider it fast food on the school commute, vending machine snacks, lunchtime soda, frozen pizza for supper. When we consume this type of food year after year from the time we are kids it begins to accumulate inside us. Our bodies can become accustomed to sugar, salt, and fat, but that does not mean it is good for them.
Younger people nowadays also tend to:
Sit less and move about less
Spend considerable amounts of time in front of a screen
Sleep less because they are stressed or have hectic schedules
Struggle with stress because of school, work, or social media
These are all things that can weaken the body and predispose it to illness, including cancer.
What Does the Science Say?
Numerous studies are now starting to reveal that diet is linked to increased cancer rates in youth. Here are just a few discoveries:
Colon cancer is on the rise among individuals aged under 50. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing cancers among young adults. Processed foods are now being related to breast, ovarian, and even brain cancers in some studies. Scientists are discovering that ultra-processed foods – the ones with long lists of ingredients – may be the most dangerous.
While these studies continue to unfold, one thing becomes clear: food matters.
So, What Can We Do About It?
The better news is, we are not at the mercy of the food industry. There’s a great deal we can do to take care of ourselves and it begins in the kitchen. Here are some easy steps to begin eating healthier:
1. Consume More Whole Foods
Whole foods are foods that have not been altered much. Some of these include:
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Whole grains such as brown rice, oats, and quinoa
Lean meats, fish, and eggs
Nuts, seeds, and beans
Attempt to consume more foods that are visually reminiscent of earth origins, not factories.
2. Drink More Water, Less Soda
Sugary beverages are among the largest contributors of excess sugar in our diet. Even so-called “healthy” beverages, such as flavored waters or sports drinks, can be full of sugar. Begin by replacing one soda per day with water, and add from there.
3. Cook at Home More Often
When you prepare food at home, you get to decide what goes into it. It doesn’t need to be complicated even plain foods like grilled chicken, rice, and vegetables are wonderful. Make an effort to prepare a few meals at home every week, and you’ll know the difference soon enough.
4. Read Labels
If you do purchase packaged foods, have a glance at the label. If the ingredient list is ridiculously long or full of words you can’t understand, it’s likely not the best option. Opt for foods that have few simple ingredients.
5. Restrict Junk Food, Don’t Eliminate Everything
You don’t have to eliminate your favorite snacks entirely. The secret is balance. Eat healthy most of the time, and reserve treats for special events.
Your body will appreciate it.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Even teens should take their health seriously. If you feel something’s not right, don’t brush it off. Signals to look out for are:
Persistent stomach aches
Sudden lumps or swelling
Sudden weight loss
Blood in your stool
Being tired all the time
At Comprehensive Hematology Oncology, we care for individuals of all ages experiencing cancer or wanting to learn about their risk. If you have concerns or symptoms that persist, our team is here to offer top-rated cancer treatment in St. Petersburg, FL, in a manner that is compassionate, considerate, and centered around you.
Final Thoughts
Processed foods are ubiquitous, and it’s difficult to completely steer clear of them. But by becoming informed about what is in our foods and making healthier choices incrementally, we can be a responsible part of our own health. Young people need a strong, healthy future and it begins with basic habits such as consuming more whole foods, exercising your body, sleeping adequately, and listening to your body.
If you or a loved one is dealing with cancer or simply wishes to gain insight into maintaining good health, Comprehensive Hematology Oncology is here to support you. We focus on personalized cancer treatment in St. Petersburg, FL, and our team is just a call or click away. Contact us today!