Anticancer Quotes

As mentioned in a previous post, I recommend the book Anticancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber to everyone—with or without cancer. Here are some quotes to pique your curiosity:

“Cancer lies dormant in all of us. Like all living organism, our bodies are making defective cells all the time. That’s how tumors are born. But our bodies are also equipped with a number of mechanisms that detect and keep such cells in check. In the West, one person in four will die of cancer, but three of four will not. Their defense mechanism will hold out, and they will die of other causes.” (The book goes on to explain these mechanisms and how to strengthen them.)

“Cancer is more widespread today in the West and has been increasing since 1940. Hence, we must examine what has changed in our countries since World War II. Three major factors have drastically disrupted our environment over the last fifty years:

1. The addition of large quantities of highly refined sugar to our diet.
2. Changes in methods of farming and raising animals and, as a result, in our food.
3. Exposure to a large number of chemical products that didn’t exist before 1904.”

“. . . studies on the activity of immune cells … show that they are at their best when our diets are healthy, our environment is “clean,” and our physical activity involves the entire body (not just our brains and our hands). Immune cells are also sensitive to our emotions.”

Servan-Schreiber offers some interesting dietary advice:

Green tea (reduces) the growth of the new vessels needed for tumor growth and metastases. Drink two or three cups a day. Let steep for 5-8 minutes.

Turmeric (yellow powder used in curry) is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory identified today. To be assimilated by the body, turmeric must be mixed with black pepper.

Tomato sauce – It has been proven that lycopene in tomatoes leads to longer survival rates from prostate cancer in men who consume tomato sauce in at least two meals a week. Tomatoes must be cooked in order to release their lycopene.

Red wine – (contains resveratrol, which) acts on genes that are known to protect healthy cells against aging. It can also slow the three stages of cancer development. One glass a day with a meal.

Dark chocolate (more than 70% cocoa) contains a number of antioxidants (whose) molecules slow the growth of cancer cells. Mixing dairy products with chocolate cancels the beneficial effects of the molecules of cocoa. Avoid milk chocolate.