Is cancer just bad luck?

Key Story Summary:

• The cause of cancer is elusive and debated.
• Environmental factors may play a greater role in the development of cancer than random chance or bad luck.
• Despite the true cause of cancer, you hold the power to reduce your risk of the disease. You can create your own four leaf clover.

On Sunday March 20th, thousands of people will converge to South Boston and celebrate the anticipated holiday of St. Patrick’s Day. The day will be filled with green beer, music, and cheer. While you may find a four leaf clover to bring you good luck that day, the intoxication surely won’t be bringing any luck to your health or your risk of cancer.

Cancer arises when normal cells  acquire mutations in its DNA in areas that control for cell growth and cell death. By removing the brakes (cells won’t die) and pushing the accelerator (cells keep growing), cancerous cells arise and careen out of control, eventually destroying the entire vehicle giving it life.

When a normal cell replicates or divides, it may incorrectly copy the exact DNA code. Over time and with each new cell division, the number of incorrect copies can increase and so too can the risk of cancer—with no fault of the individual.

Luckily, our bodies have systems in place to limit the amount of out-of-control cell growth and cell damage. Wrong DNA can be edited, damaged cell components can be cleaned up, and the immune system can detect and eliminate bad-behaving cells.

Recently, a major debate has ensued to determine whether the cause of cancer is due to random mutation, a.k.a. bad luck, or due to environmental causes, i.e. diet, pollution, toxins (which can increase mutations or reduce repair mechanisms).

The pro-random mutation side states that over 60% of cancer cases are due to random mutations that occur during normal DNA replication and that the total number of cell divisions contribute to the increased risk of cancer.

The pro-environment side states that random mutations cause less than 30% of lifetime cancer cases and that the total number of cell division does not distinguish cancer risk. Therefore, these authors state that cancer risk is greatly influenced by things like radiation, diet, tobacco, pollution, or viruses—which can all cause increased DNA mutations.

I am a believer that the risk of cancer is highly dependent on your environment, with a large portion of that within your control—like diet, exercise, and stress.

To state that cancer is largely due to bad luck seems defeatist. There is too much data that show controllable, healthy activities can reduce the risk of cancer whether we look at alcohol use, exercise, or vegetables and red meat intake. We are not doomed. We hold the power to reduce the odds of developing cancer, by changing to a healthier lifestyle.

But understanding how these environmental factors can reduce or increase cancer is a more difficult question. There is no one cause of cancer but rather a culmination of multiple concepts.

Diet, exercise, and stress all impact cancer risk and by zeroing in on the common denominator between these three points us in the right direction:

• The cellular mitochondria.

There is a new theory of cancer that states changes in energy metabolism (via our mitochondria) can induce cancer growth.

Mitochondria are the energy producing organelles of the cell which have their own DNA, separate from the DNA contained in the cell nucleus. When mutations occur within our mitochondrial DNA, the production of cellular energy becomes disturbed and less efficient. This damaged mitochondria can then produce even more toxic chemicals, like reactive oxygen species, which can further cause DNA mutations and damage.

Increased mutations in the mitochondrial DNA can occur when the cell’s focus is to grow rather than repair. Think about your busy work week when you dedicate all your time to being productive rather than cleaning or repairing your house. Over time, your rooms become cluttered and your utilities may begin to fail. The same principle applies here with the mitochondria that if you consume too many calories  too often, or specifically too many carbohydrates (sugars), then damages begin to accumulate.

Too much sugar can overwhelm the mitochondria and cause it to burn the fuel inefficiently, leading to the overproduction of inflammatory reactive oxygen species. These oxidative stress chemicals can directly damage tissue and cause DNA mutations.

To limit the toxic by-products of metabolism and lower the risk of cancer, a ketogenic diet may be a possible mediator.

A ketogenic diet is extremely low in carbohydrates/sugar and high in fat. Ketones are a source of energy derived from fat that is used when sugar isn’t available for energy. Utilizing ketones instead of sugars for energy can reduce the overall production of damaging reactive oxygen species.

So to improve your odds of not getting cancer, eat more avocados, eggs, nuts, olive oil, and whole dairy products and reduce your sugars, your rice, your pasta, your bread, your potatoes, and your alcohol.

Alcohol is metabolized the same as sugars and excessive quantities of both can do significant damage on your body and your mitochondria (maybe worse with alcohol). Therefore large and/or frequent quantities of alcohol (and sugar) can overload your mitochondria, increase your chances for DNA mutations, and increase your risk of cancer.

To reiterate again though, your body has an amazing ability to recover and repair. A single outlying party event like St. Patty’s, while still not good for you, might not be as bad as one may think, as long as your baseline diet, exercise, and mental wellness habits allow for your cells to recoup, rebuild, and strengthen.

So go out, enjoy the fun, have a beer then get back to the health routine. Lower your sugars, your carbs, and your alcohol. Consider it like stockpiling four leaf clovers, keeping you luckier and healthier, longer.