New Delhi: They may appear to be two different things that exist in isolation but inflammation and cancer are as closely related as fever and an infection. One causes the other. Many physicians are of the opinion that chronic inflammation, that is caused without an invader or an external injury, can launch an attack on healthy cells in the body resulting in debilitating diseases (cancers included). If this correlation is evidenced in science, does it also mean that if you can prevent inflammation from occurring, you may also prevent the incidence of cancer in a human body? “There is a lot of study that researches on inflammation and on cancer in isolation but a combined, thorough study has not gained popularity in India,” says Dr Neelanja Goel, an oncologist based in Noida.
Whether there is a possibility that inflammation can cause certain cancers, Dr Goel agrees emphatically, saying “Chronic inflammation can be linked to at least one in five cancers, including the incidence of colorectal cancer,” she said. To understand their symbiotic relationship, one has to also understand what causes inflammation in the body, and the difference between acute and chronic versions of this disease.
Inflammation: The BIG bane of our health?
Any general physician will tell you this – inflammation is indeed the biggest problem in our health outcomes. From common infection related illnesses to the more life threatening ones, it is this that causes the biggest bodily harm. Although, inflammation is known to be a reaction of the body to an infection, injury or an intruder element. It’s dangers are far and wide, often lurking in the background. Dr Ajit Jain, a bone health expert from Safdarjung Hospital explains, “Inflammation in the body occurs when an invader, such as a virus or a bacteria, tries to enter the body but your immune system sends out its first responders. These are often inflammatory cells and cytokines (substances that stimulate more inflammatory cells). These cells begin a response to trap germs or toxins and start healing injured tissue. The same thing happens when you are injured and exposed to elements that are foreign to the body.”
This is a completely normal process, says Dr Jain, adding that this healing process by the body’s own immune system can cause discomfort, swelling or discoloration but that’s a healthy sign that the body is healing well. The actual problem happens when inflammatory responses occur behind the scenes and can harm your health.
Inflammation per se is not a doctor’s big bane. It is the chronic type which may transform to become a big worry.
What is chronic inflammation, then? Dr Jain says the type that occurs when the body continues to send inflammatory cells even when there’s no apparent danger. “Take for instance, a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The inflammatory cells and substances attack joint tissues which can lead to severe damage to your joints,” he said.
Dr Goel breaks it down further – “What happens with chronic inflammation is that sometimes it may end up hurting our body instead of assisting in reversing or bettering the outcome. Chronic inflammation can even last for months or years. You may have periods where it improves and other times when it gets worse,” she said. It is for this reason that researchers have linked chronic inflammation to a huge variety of adverse diseases, including cancer.
Yes it’s a possibility and oncologists have been wary of it. “If left untreated, chronic inflammation may result in DNA damage that leads to cancer. People with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease, have an increased risk of colon cancer. Same with those having issues with gut infection that are recurring,” said Dr Goel.
If cancers can be caused by inflammation, which can be prevented by following a healthy diet and lifestyle, why can’t alternate therapies aid in cancer prevention?
Can Neem and Tulsi in our diet stop inflammation, prevent cancer?
When legendary cricketer, Navjyot Singh Sidhu, said his wife defeated her breast cancer diagnosis by following a strict discipline and a diet that was very healthy, some doctors came out with hammer and tongs to question the evidence which suggests the remote possibility. Oncologists said it was not possible to completely treat cancers without a line of formal treatments which also included radiation and chemo therapies.
It is true that the treatment options for cancer include medical therapies, its prevention may however be attributed to alternate medicines and a healthy lifestyle. We asked doctors for their perspective and this is what they had to say. “A healthy diet and lifestyle will go a long way in preventing not just inflammation but also keep other chronic diseases at bay. So, one needs to follow a discipline nevertheless. But will a diet of turmeric and neem reverse your already existing cancerous cells, the answer to that is a no!,” said Dr Romita Gupta, an radiation specialist.
She goes on to explain that turmeric that contains curcumin, a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties is a recommended diet for all suffering from chronic inflammation. While Neem is known to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Both taken together can have a synergistic impact, meaning their combined anti-inflammatory properties can be more effective than either plant on its own.
Inflammation can be a double jeopardy — It can damage cell DNA leading to abnormal cell growth and division, eventually developing tumors (both benign and malignant). It can also weaken the body’s barriers, exposing stem cells to carcinogens. Doctors say, this is the root cause of most of the chronic diseases around us today. The good news is that inflammation – both acute as well as chronic – can be cured or prevented by lifestyle tweak. In that sense, is cancer caused by inflammation preventable? Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
