Nutrition for Special Groups

Nutrition for Special Groups 3(3+0)

Lesson 38 : Cancer

Introduction

A tumor occurs when cells within a tissue grow in an uncontrolled and progressive fashion. If the tumor grows rapidly and invades adjacent normal tissue and the cells are irregular in appearance, it is malignant and is called a cancer. Cancer requires the development of cells with functionally altered DNA. The source of these alterations may be damage by radiation, chemicals, alteration in gene expression etc. Diet can influence cancer occurrence and growth. Experimental models of chemically induced carcinogenesis have shown the macronutrients, various vitamins such as folic acid, vitamin B12, riboflavin, retinol, β- carotene and alpha tocopherol and some minerals including selenium, zinc, magnesium and calcium to modulate cancer risk. Other nutrients such as lycopene and resveratrol also influence carcinogenesis pathways. Present research shows that foods and nutrients have multiple role in cell signaling, growth and apoptosis and influence tumor growth and cancer survival.