Cancer is an emotionally charged word. It is the disease that no one speaks about. When I was growing up, if someone had it, the term “cancer” was not even pronounced. Our elders would say, “She has that illness”, and gloom would descend over their faces. Decades ago, cancer was considered a death sentence. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. Today, with advances in spotting the disease early on and treating it, a growing number of cancer patients can expect a full recovery and live to tell their heroic stories. Yet, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done because cancer incidence in the Kingdom is on the rise. The first step to curb the cancer rise in our country is to increase public awareness on how it can be prevented, and how to look for warning signs. Knowledge is power. My focus is on the most common male cancers, since female cancers are documented far better, particularly in this part of the world, than their male counterparts. Professor Ezzeldin M. Ibrahim, M.D., a world renowned oncologist and the director of both the Oncology Center of Excellence and research center at the International Medical Center in Jeddah, has collected data on the most prevalent cancers in Saudi Arabia. “The number one cancer among men in the Kingdom is colorectal cancer. Actually, colorectal cancer is the most common male cancer worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, the second most common cancer site in men is the prostate gland. Next is lung cancer, followed by lymphoma: disease of the lymph nodes, and liver,” Professor Ezzeldin said. According to the data he has collected, one in 7,000 men living in Saudi Arabia will develop colorectal cancer. “A small percentage of men have hereditary susceptibility to developing colorectal cancer. That means that a small number of men may be genetically prone to developing these cancers. However, the vast majority of colorectal cancer cases are caused by environmental factors. Colorectal cancer is strongly related to lifestyle factors.” Colorectal cancer If colorectal cancer is associated with lifestyle, then that entails that it is also preventable. These factors increase colorectal cancer risks: n Diet that is low in fiber. n Low intake of fruit and vegetables. n Obesity n Eating a high fat diet, especially fatty meats. n Lack of physical exercise. To protect against colorectal cancer, make these changes in your daily habits: n Increase intake of fresh fruits and both raw and cooked vegetables. Gradually switch from a meat-centric diet to a more vegetarian diet. Start with a small change. n Add more fiber to your diet. Foods rich in fiber include: fruits, vegetables, brown rice, wheat bran and whole wheat products, prunes, figs, lentils, and beans. n Breakthrough research lead by Professor Ezzeldin demonstrated that folic acid reduces the risk of colon cancer. Excellent sources of folic acid include: dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, egg yolk, cantaloupe, apricots, pumpkin, avocados, and beans. You can also supplement 400 mcg of folic acid daily. n Keep moving. Studies show that people who exercise by walking for one hour a day have a 50 percent lower chance of developing colon cancer. Professor Ezzeldin said: “We are very excited about the scientific evidence we have found that shows that exercise even improves the outcome of patients already suffering from cancer. Cancer patients who exercise regularly have a better chance of survival.” n Green tea may inhibit the growth of a certain type of bacteria associated with colorectal cancer. Get into the healthy and trendy habit of drinking one to two cups of green tea daily. How does one screen for colorectal cancer? “There is a simple, fairly reliable, and non-expensive test that all men should do once they turn 50 years of age. The earlier the cancer is detected, the greater the likelihood of successful treatment and cure,” advised Professor Ezzeldin. There are two tests that should be done: A stool test to look for occult blood in the stools. Blood in the stool may not be visible to the naked eye, but if it is present it could be a sign of colorectal cancer. After the age of 50, the stool test should be done annually. The second is a colonoscopy. The colon is explored and should be done once at the age of 50, and if it is negative, you can do it again after five to 10 years. Prostate cancer Professor Ezzeldin told me that the incidence of prostate cancer in the Kingdom is unfortunately steadily climbing. He explained, “Prostate cancer occurs more often in elderly men. Life expectancy in the Kingdom is getting longer, from an average of 50 years half a century ago to the mid 70s in 2011. Since men are living longer lives, a greater number of men will be exposed to prostate cancer. Furthermore, by the year 2020, there will be a six fold rise in male cancers in general. Yet, prostate cancer is a model for prevention. With some lifestyle modifications, you can really reduce your risk.” Men should be on the look-out for the following prostate cancer risk factors. Of course, some cannot be controlled, but many of them are n Age: after the age of 40, many men begin to experience prostate problems. n Family history: men whose fathers and brothers have prostate cancer are twice as likely to suffer from it. n Ethnic background: men of African descent have the highest rates. n Sexual relations with multiple partners. n Obesity: obese men have a 2.5 times greater chance for developing prostate cancer than men with an ideal body weight. · High fat diet, specifically animal fat from red meats. n Low vegetable intake. n Anabolic steroid use. n Smoking. n Alcohol consumption. To defend against prostate cancer: n Tomatoes are very important for the health of the prostate gland. The anti-oxidant, lycopene, found in tomatoes, red grapefruit, and watermelon is effective in staving off prostate cancer. n Yellow and green vegetables are rich in vitamins that help fight against cancer. Eat more asparagus, leeks, parsley, spinach, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potato. n Pumpkin seeds are extremely beneficial for male organs, possibly due to the zinc content. n The herb, saw palmetto may be a good preventive measure for prostate enlargement, inflammation, and cancer. It is safe and side effect free. n Regular exercise can help block cancer and improve overall health. Prostate cancer can be screened with the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. This test is not costly or time consuming and is very reliable. This test detects markers in the blood that may signify prostate cancer. Advances in cancer treatment Although we will be seeing a greater number of cancer cases in the Kingdom, we are also witnessing advances in the treatment of cancer and in the survival rate of cancer patients. “We have made tremendous progress in the treatment of cancers of the colon, breast, lymphoma, and leukemia. We have advanced in our understanding of these diseases and in their therapeutic management,” Professor Ezzeldin said. “New drugs are now available, called targeted therapy. These drugs are designed to be specific and sensitive to certain receptors on the tumor or on cancer cells alone. Since only cancer cells are targeted, these drug have minimal to moderate side effects, as opposed to older chemotherapy drugs that often have severe side effects. I am currently involved in international trials to better develop these targeted therapies. On the other hand, progress in stomach, liver, and pancreatic cancer has been slow.” “People underestimate the value of support groups, and this idea is just being introduced in the Kingdom,” Professor Ezzeldin remarked. “Our support group at the International Medical Center has a highly trained moderator with knowledge in both psychology and oncology. Breast cancer survivors come in to share their experiences with other newly diagnosed patients and they discuss issues such as: marital and social relations, family, work, and other concerns. All our physicians have noticed an immense improvement in our patients: they are more positive, they believe they will be cured, they suffer less depression, and they cope better with the side effects of treatment and tolerate their medications better.” He added: “Our vision for the future is to also start support groups for men and for families whose lives have been affected by cancer. We want to foster an open dialogue between our patients and their families and doctors. Our goal is to care for our patients in three dimensions: body, mind, and soul.” Amal Al-Sibai holds a Bachelor's degree in Holistic Nutrition from the US.
