Cancer prevention in Europe

Abstract

In the coming years, European death rates because of cancer will further decline, but the overall number of cases will increase, mostly as a consequence of the ageing of the population. The target for cancer prevention in Europe will remain a healthy diet and control of obesity in addition to a decrease in smoking. A healthy diet model in European countries is the traditional Mediterranean diet, which is based on abundant and variable plant foods, high consumption of cereals, olive oil as the main (added) fat, low intake of (red) meat and moderate consumption of wine. The Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The biological mechanisms for cancer prevention associated with the Mediterranean diet have been related to the favourable effect of a balanced ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 essential fatty acids and high amounts of fibre, antioxidants and polyphenols found in fruit, vegetables, olive oil and wine. The Mediterranean diet also involves a 'Mediterranean way of drinking', that is, regular, moderate consumption of wine mainly with food. This pattern of drinking increases longevity, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and does not appreciably influence the overall risk of cancer. However, heavy alcohol drinking is associated with digestive, upper respiratory tract, liver and breast cancers; therefore, avoidance or restriction of alcohol consumption to two drinks/day in men and one drink/day in women is a global public health priority.

Elevated oleic acid serum concentrations in patients suffering from alcohol dependence

“…Dietary intake of polyunsaturated fats increases the probability of liver injuries in response to ethanol feeding; however, increased levels of oleic acid and lower levels of linoleic acid may lead to attenuated liver injuries after toxine exposure [40]. OL and moderate wine consumption are components of a so-called Mediterranean diet which by some is believed to be protective against cancer and cardiovascular diseases [41]. We assume that OL contributes to alleviate the adverse reactions of alcohol consumption.…”

Higher vegetable intake and vegetable variety is associated with a better self-reported health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in a cross-sectional survey of rural northern Ghanaian women in fertile age

“…Although the biological mechanism for the beneficial effects of vegetable intake on the HR-QoL and its subscales is largely unknown, it may be due to the higher amounts of dietary fibre, vitamins, antioxidants (such as vitamin C and E) and polyphenols found in vegetables [46, 52, 53]. Antioxidants decrease the level of oxidative stress and thereby reduce the amount of DNA damage, neuronal cell death, and the aggregation of β-amyloid within the brain [54–56]; this is hypothesised to have consequences particularly for cognitive functioning and mental health.…”

Prevalence and Determinants of Tinnitus in the Italian Adult Population

“…The large worldwide heterogeneity in the prevalence of tinnitus may be related to different lifestyles, including dietary, habits [46]. The Mediterranean diet, characterized by a high monounsaturated/saturated fat ratio, a relatively high consumption of cereals, legumes, fruit and vegetables, and fish, a moderate consumption of alcohol, and a low consumption of meat and meat products, and milk and dairy products, has been shown to reduce obesity [47], and prevent cardiovascular [48,49], cancer [50], and overall mortality and morbidity [51,52]. In Italy, the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet is still relatively high [53].…”