Three Simple Interventions for Cancer Prevention in Older People
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A combination of high-dose vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and a simple home strength exercise program (SHEP) can cumulatively reduce the risk of cancer in healthy adults over the age of 70 by 61 percent, the international DO-HEALTH study led by the University of Zurich has shown. It is the first study to test the combined benefit of three affordable public health interventions for the prevention of invasive cancers. The results could influence the future of cancer prevention in older adults. Cancer is considered a major age-related disease in Europe and the US. It is the second leading cause of mortality in older adults and the chances of getting most cancers increases with age. Apart from preventative recommendations such as not smoking and sun protection, public health efforts that focus on cancer prevention are limited, according to Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, professor of geriatric medicine and aging research at the University of Zurich and the UniversityHospital Zurich: "Preventive efforts in middle-aged and older adults today are largely limited to screening and vaccination efforts." - Vitamin D, omega-3 and exercise. Previous studies have shown that vitamin D inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
