Want to prevent lung cancer? That's great -- just don't rely on vitamins and supplements to get the job done, and lessen those CT scans as well. Those do, after all, use radiation.

Members of the American College of Chest Physicians made both statements in the latest edition of the "Guide to Lung Cancer Prevention" -- and the suggestions go towards smokers and non-smokers alike.

The kicker is the knockout stat mentioned here: lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with more dying from it that from colon, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer combined. Wow.

But the biggest lung cancer prevention tip? Don't smoke, be near smokers and watch that smog intake if at all possible.

It's pretty well known that many natural foods make for great defenses against cancer, regardless of the opposition to this by the medical community. If you're into spicy foods like I am, it may be neat to hear that curry could be added to that battle list.

Indian foods are, in many cases, spicy (and delicious), and that curry powder's curcumin has been found to kill and stops the growth of melanoma skin cancer cells. Although these results were only found in the lab, they are still encouraging.

Cancer prevention foods are incredibly neat to learn about, and with the Internet, the effort is simple and easy. Even if curry is not your thing, there are plenty of other cancer-fighting foods.

Talk about cancer news that sounds like it comes from the future. In new research, using high-speed liquid injectors to get light-activated cancer-fighting drugs into the body without the need for needles.

Many patients would probably hooray something like this, and without using the limitations of needles -- some of which don't penetrate tumors effectively -- the targeting increased such a system would have sounds rather intriguing.

Of, and if you don't like needles, that goes away as well. I wonder if this will make it to market anytime soon?

Postmenopausal women who take calcium and vitamin D supplements may reduce their risk of cancer, according to a report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study was a randomized controlled trial. This is in contrast to many earlier studies that show that vitamin D is protective against cancer, but were only observational trials.

The researchers found that women who took both calcium (1400-1500 mg/day) and vitamin D (1100 IU vitamin D3/day) had a lower incidence of cancer than those who took the placebo. There were 13 cases among the 446 women who took the supplements versus 20 cases among 288 women who took the placebo during the four year period.

Dr. Richard Wender, president of the American Cancer Society, took questions from readers as part of the New York Times feature on cancer last week.

Here is an interesting question from a reader about the role of antioxidants. Leanne asks about the use of antioxidants and other supplements during cancer treatment, specifically whether they are harmful and whether they can reduce the effectiveness of some chemotherapies.

Dr. Wender responds that "the same steps that help to prevent diabetes and heart disease also help to reduce your risk of cancer. First, maintain a healthy body weight and engage in regular exercise. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is a good idea, but it is not as effective in preventing cancer as having a normal weight. Avoid tobacco and excess sun exposure."

"Although studies of supplements have hinted at some value for certain cancers, the overall value appears to be much smaller than the lifestyle steps I have listed."

For more Q&As with Dr. Wender, please see here.

Paint derived from scorpion venom does not sound like a likely aid to distinguishing cancer cells from normal tissue, but that is precisely what Seattle researchers are using in quite an interesting cancer detection development.

Even if the tumor is only made of a few cells, the "paint" test can detect it, which could lead to detection of cancerous cell grouping in such small amounts that very early treatment could be a result.

Are better outcomes possible due to a detection method like this? Hopefully, yes -- because catching cancer as it just starts to form is the holy grail of treatment.

With the connection between harmful chemicals and cancer causes having been made so strong in the last decade or so (and before that), do U.S. states -- in addition to federal regulations -- do enough to keep these substances out of reach of the everyday citizen?

In the state of Alabama, the discharge of certain chemicals directly into the environment that end up in the water supply gives people in that state the distinction of being diagnosed with cancer more often that other states.

But not every party is taking that kind of news sitting down, as 18 environmental and citizen organizations have formally petitioned Alabama's state environmental agency to seek a cancer risk level that should greatly increase the state of human health in that state. Read more here -- and hope that your state has similar motions in place for the future or even right now.

How many of us see our doctors at least once a year? (If you don't, you probably already know that you should... Preventive health care begins with you). I have to see my physician annually, or he won't refill my prescription, and I need my prescription. He says it is for insurance purposes, but I think he just likes to check in with me-- and I am fine with that. We go over my blood pressure, make arrangements to check my cholesterol. I take care of breast exams and my pap with my ob-gyn.

However, one of the things I have been thinking about this summer, as time grows near for my annual appointment, is that I don't always remember to mention things to him at this appointment. It has been a long time since I have seen or talked with my doctor. I just reached out and touched wood, automatically after I typed that. Knock on wood-- that could change on a dime. How many times have you walked out of an appointment, especially your annual, and thought, "I wish I had mentioned this..." Because sometimes it is worth just having things checked out, and making sure your physical exam is truly thorough.

Think about this: If you know your annual physican is drawing near, start carrying around a little notebook and recording changes you have noticed, or something that may seem minor, but might be worth mentioning.

This year, in my little notebook, I have: fatigue-- is this normal? I take a lot of naps... I seem to be developing an allergy to milk-- but could it be something else? That isn't a food reaction? Could you look at these spots on my face-- are these acne scars, or something else? I don't remember seeing them last year...

I have had a lot of friends who have gone to the doctor for what seemed to be pretty innocent symptoms-- and they had cancer instead. I think especially with the recent news about some pretty innocuous symptoms that could be forerunners for ovarian cancer, it's not too much to pay a little extra attention to what our bodies are trying to tell us. And then to tell our doctors, on our bodies' behalves.

Can we turn cancer on and off within our bodies? The rates of both prostate and breast cancer have increased in recent times and cancer is the second-largest leading cause of death in the U.S. -- but are Americans doing all they can to prevent all the various types of cancer?

It's hard to argue that since 1971, the $200 billion thrown at "fighting cancer" has given very little to the cause. Why is that? We have more cases of cancer than ever, so something clearly is not working, right?

Can taking charge of one's health and turning to a completely holistic nutrition and chemical-free lifestyle (as much as possible) lead to one being able to "turn off" cancer? That's hard to say, but with many of the stories I've read (and patients I've talked to), living a holistic lifestyle can indeed have the greatest impact on cancer -- much more than conventional and even cutting-edge medical techniques and drugs. Have your results been in line with this kind of thinking?

It's 2007 and the still-predominant way of fighting many types of cancer involves toxic chemotherapy that weakens the body while trying to destroy cancer cells.

Although a better way of cancer treatment has been on the minds of oncologists for decades, the mapping of the human genome recently and the prevalence of nanotechnology is starting to create possible solutions to health problems that are about as cutting edge as they come.

What would it mean to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to cancer cells without polluting the human body at the same time? That kind of breakthrough is on the minds of an Australian biotechnology firm, which says it can do just that.

The process involved nanotechnology processes that almost sounds like science fiction. The truth is, though -- it is all too real. And, it will get better in the next few decades I'll bet.

Jamie Oliver, celebrated chef and concerned father, is determined to start a food revolution in school cafeterias. Feed Me Better is his campaign to ban junk food and get fresh, tasty and, above all, nutritious food back on the school lunch menu. According to Oliver's factoids, 92 percent of kids consume more saturated fats than the maximum recommended amount for adults. Childhood obesity is epidemic. Both saturated fats and obesity are linked to cancer. In addition, much of the food currently being served to children is devoid of vital nutrients necessary for healthy growth.

Initially, the going wasn't easy. Oliver challenged the lunch lady at Kidbrooke School in Greenwich to change the school menu with foods that are healthy. As the story goes, "Using culinary magic and legendary passion Jamie battled, negotiated, penny-pinched, cooked, chopped and peeled his way through his toughest challenge yet. It was very hard work. The kids cried. Parents slipped burgers to their children through the school gates. But in the end, Jamie had won over the council, the caterers and the kids. He proved that it was possible to switch from a junk food menu to providing nutritious meals like Hot & Kickin chicken and Sweet Potato and Lentil Korma."

The Feed Me Better website was created as a portal for the food revolution. The plan was to gather 10,000 signatures of people interested in recreating the school lunch menu to offering good nutrition and healthy food for children. Thousands of visitors turned to millions. Over five million people visited the website while Oliver's television show was on the air. Parents, teachers and school lunch ladies swarmed the forums with stories and suggestions on how to make a difference. The revolution has begun.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers have announced study findings that suggest a higher intake of selenium may reduce the risk of advanced colorectal cancer. Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts. The antioxidant properties of selenium prevents cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals contribute to the development of cancer. Brazil nuts and tuna have the highest levels of selenium.

According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, observational studies indicate that death from cancer, including lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers, is lower among people with higher blood levels or intake of selenium. In addition, the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer is significantly higher in areas of the United States with low soil selenium content. Selenium may also prevent or slow tumor growth. Certain breakdown products of selenium are believed to prevent tumor growth by enhancing immune cell activity and suppressing development of blood vessels to the tumor.

University of Ulster, UU, researchers discovered compounds in virgin olive oil that may offer protection in the prevention of colon cancer. "The beneficial nature of the Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil is already well documented. Because the colon is one of the major cancer sites thought to be protected by olive oil, the UU research team studied the potential anti-cancer effects of virgin olive chemical compounds. Olive oil phenols protected cells from DNA damage," said Dr Chris IR Gill, UU lead researcher.

Extra virgin olive oil, high in mono-unsaturated fat and a good source of antioxidants, is one of the few oils that can be eaten without chemical processing. Olive oil has been found to be beneficial in its cancer prevention compounds for almost all cancers. It is believed that olive oil acts as an anti-inflammatory food. Inflammation is connected to the presence of cancer in the body. The UU researchers add more evidence to the body of knowledge about the cancer preventative benefits of olive oil.

12 members of a girls swim team have gotten together and published a new cookbook as a cancer fundraiser for research into finding a cure for cancer. Dana Simms, a member of the swim team, recently lost her uncle Dan Stryer, 41, a doctor and researcher, to brain cancer. According to Simms, Cooking For The Cure cookbook editor, "When we announced the idea of a community cookbook to raise money for cancer, the recipes began coming in immediately. People would stop us in the street with tears in their eyes, thanking us for doing this project and telling us about a family member or friend with cancer." Others would send emails.

The girls received over 450 recipes from people wanting to help with the project. To date, sales from the cookbook has raised in excess of $20,000 dollars. The money will be donated to cancer a charity for cancer research. The Cooking For The Cure cookbooks are on sale for $15. If you would like to support a great cause, you can buy one here.

Want to find out what pollution problems and toxic cancer-causing chemical risks might be lurking in your neighborhood? And who is responsible for the environmental pollution putting you and your family at risk for cancer? Scorecard is a free online tool for accessing information about pollution problems and toxic chemicals in your area. Scorecard profiles over 11,000 chemical hazards and their potential health effects, including information about Superfund sites and lead hazards, as well as information on smog and particulates that impact health and air quality, and on the hazardous air pollutants that pose cancer risks. By simply entering your zip code, you can get an in-depth pollution report for your neighborhood, covering air, water, chemicals, and more.