(NaturalNews) Cancer is a word that strikes fear in even the most indifferent of people. Though there are certain genetic factors that seem to predispose an individual to being diagnosed with certain types of this disease, this does not mean they have no options for prevention.

In fact, there are numerous ways that people can reduce their risk of developing cancer. Their lifestyle choices place a key role in their overall health, including their risk for cancer. Diet plays a crucial part in the health of an individual, and these five new diet rules can help them ward off the possibility of cancer.

1. Reduce colon and rectal cancer risk

In order to reduce the risks of the above cancers, an individual should decrease the amount of processed meats and red meat they consume. Since these meats contain copious amounts of essential amino acids, heme iron, heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and nitrates, which are believed to increase the rate of cancerous cell growth, just one serving bumps the risk of these cancers by more than 20 percent.

2. Reduce breast cancer

There is a great deal of evidence from both Asian and Western countries that consumption of organic unfermented soy products reduces the risk of breast cancer. When research compared Chinese women who ate 11.3 grams of unfermented organic soy each day, it showed a 43 percent reduction in their risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer during their pre-menopausal years when they measured against women who consumed just 1.7 grams of the protein.

3. Reduce alcohol consumption to reduce cancer risk

Alcohol, in all its forms, rather than the additives within it, seems to point to a greater risk of developing a number of different cancers. These include seemingly obvious types of cancer, such as that of the esophagus, larynx and mouth, as well as those that are not so obvious, such as those of the rectum, breast and colon. Just one drink a week increases the chances by 24 percent.

4. Reduce cancer risk by avoiding fried, broiled and grilled meats

HCAs are formed when the muscles of the skeleton are cooked due to the amino acids and creatine that exist within them. Cooking at high temperatures and for longer times also increases the amount of HCAs in the meat. Four HCA types are associated with a higher risk of developing colon and rectal cancers.

5. Reduce prostate cancer risk

Drinking the equivalent of just two glasses of dairy milk a day increases the chances of prostate cancer by 60 percent. Even taking calcium supplements showed the same effects. Men who took 400 milligrams in supplements a day showed a 51 percent increase in the cancer.

In addition to the above guidelines, people are encouraged to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet. In particular, leafy greens provide an enormous benefit to the health by helping to reduce the risk of cancer.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.rodalenews.com/anti-cancer-diet

http://cancer.stanford.edu/information/nutritionAndCancer/reduceRisk/

http://preventcancer.aicr.org

About the author:
Sofiya has written articles on most health-related topics, including traditional medicine, alternative and naturopathic and natural treatments,health insurance, wellness, medical marijuana, diets and fitness.