In two large studies, vitamin D have been found to have a significant effect in reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer. According to Northwestern University researchers, their study is one of the first known studies to use a large-scale epidemiological survey to examine the relationship between vitamin D supplements and cancer of the pancreas.

Previous research and researchers have gone so far as to state that exposure to solar ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, which causes the body to manufacture vitamin D, might reduce the risk of 16 types of cancer. "Enhancing vitamin D status appears to be the single most important simple thing people can do to reduce their risk of cancer, apart from avoiding tobacco and moderation in the intake of alcohol."

Because of concern regarding prolonged exposure to the sun and skin cancer risks, and for those living in northern climates, it seems reasonable to conclude that perhaps the sensible alternative is a daily vitamin D supplement. However, if you are a cancer patient undergoing treatment, you should check with your physician before embarking on any supplement program.

Past research has shown that folic acid, a synthetic form of folate, might be beneficial in protecting against the development of a number of cancers, including breast, prostate and colon cancers. New research is offering more in the way of substantial study results that show folic acid might be essential in preventing the progression of all cancers. And what an easy fix folate, or folic acid is, since it can be found in a number of whole foods or simply taken as a daily vitamin supplement.

According to nutritional experts, folate deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency in the United States. Researchers continue to discover evidence of the link between folate deficiency, serum homocysteine elevations, and a number of cancers.

Folate is found in dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, citrus juices, fortified breakfast cereals and grain products. The highest concentration of folate is found in black-eyed peas, spinach, great northern beans, asparagus and broccoli. Research found folic acid in supplements is better absorbed by the body than the folate naturally occurring in foods.

Mama's Health recommends eating these healthy foods to help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Herbs, vegetables, dietary fiber and fruits are food items most of us already know are essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Here are some foods that are especially good for preventing cancer and heart disease.

Basil tops the herb list and reduces blood pressure and eases the symptoms of emphysema and bronchitis. In addition, rubbing basil on your skin acts as a natural bug repellent.

Spinach, asparagus, and broccoli top the vegetables most recommended to cut down on heart disease and cancer, giving at least 50 percent of the recommended daily allowances (RDI) for vitamin A, and about 20 percent of the RDI for vitamin C. Spinach is a good source of iron, calcium and folate and asparagus is also high in folate content (20 to 50 percent of RDI per serving). Folate is a nutrient identified as being important for pregnant women. Folate, also known as folic acid, might reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer.

Sweet Bing cherries, pumpkin, strawberries and apricots, are high in vitamin A and C, and provide a good source of fiber. Sweet Bing cherries is a cancer prevention food with the ability to fight the inflammation associated with some cancers. Pumpkin and strawberries are a good source of iron and folate. A substance found in strawberries, quercetin, has been shown to program cancer cells to self destruct. All are low in calories.

Dietary fiber found in whole wheat bread and 100 percent bran cereal along with kidney beans, white beans, and potatoes top the fiber charts for healthy eating to prevent cancer and heart disease. Soy nuts top the healthy snacks and are high in protein and isoflavones.

Two years ago, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Shortly after he began radiation and hormone treatment for his cancer, I got an interesting call from him. He was suddenly experiencing symptoms normally associated with menopause -- in particular -- he was having hot flashes. He knew I had been suffering through hot flashes as a result of chemo-induced menopause. It's an interesting, if not unusual, father-daughter bonding when they both can share the trials and tribulations of menopause. Our telephone calls became conversations of possible solutions and relief during the sleeping and waking hours of a personal summer not in sync with the seasonal temperature outside. In the middle of winter, I joked my hot flashes were saving me money on my home heating bill.

Yesterday, Vicki posted tropical vacations and hot flashes, in which she shared a few natural herbal remedies for women suffering from hot flashes associated with menopause. For many women breast cancer survivors, chemo-induced menopause is a real problem. Today, I will share some of the natural remedies for men suffering from hot flashes associated with prostate cancer treatment and male menopause. Yes, it's a real condition. Jed Diamond, author of Male Menopause, offers these herbals as possible relief from male menopausal hot flashes:

• Wild Yam for hormone building assistance.
• Black cohosh for a relaxant and normalizer.
• Damiana as a prostate tonic, antidepressant and nutrient for sluggish sexual organs.
• St. John's Wort and Oat for nerve tonics to help deal with any depression and other stress due to the changes.
• Saw Palmetto for a reproductive system nutrient.
  

Of course, if you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you need to speak with your oncologist and primary care physician concerning the safety of combining herbs with any drug treatment you are currently prescribed. In addition, the Mayo Clinic did research that suggested antidepressants can alleviate the severity of hot flashes for men. My father has reported some relief from both herbs and antidepressants, but he still has a personal summer now and then.

If passed and signed into law, the Health Freedom Protection Act, H.R. 4282, will provide cancer patients with the right to be told of potential health benefits regarding vitamins, minerals, herbs and other supplements. As it stands now, it is against the law for a company to provide any treatment claims or refer to any relevant scientific evidence proving the effectiveness of a nutrient, herb or supplement that they manufacture or sell.

An excellent example of this restriction is made in the case of curcumin. As stated in the March issue of CancerWire, there are over 500 scientific articles about curcumin and cancer. Curcumin, also known as turmeric, has been shown to be effective in protecting against colon cancer. However, a curcumin manufacturer or distributor can run into serious trouble with the law by sharing this information with a customer who is fighting colon cancer.

Cancer Monthly interviewed attorney Jonathan Emord who practices food and drug law, deceptive advertising law, and libel law. Mr. Emord supports the Health Freedom Protection Act. I am going to share one of the statements he made during the interview that might stun you, as it did me, "Right now FDA censors EVERY nutrient-disease treatment claim. The FDA now prohibits companies from giving to consumers peer-reviewed articles by independent scientists and institutions if they concern the role of a nutrient in treating a disease, including the government's own scientific publications on the role of nutrients in treating disease."

Here is the stunning part of the interview. Emord goes on to say, "Dr. David Graham, the senior FDA drug safety officer explains that on dozens of occasions, FDA allowed into the market unsafe drugs, knowing that deaths would result -- all because it aimed to protect the economic interests of the drug companies that sponsored the drugs." And yet, a company cannot make any claims to the public that curcumin might offer cancer prevention benefits? I checked on H.R. 4282, and it appears there has been no activity on this bill since November 2005.

I do not want to go back to the days where snake oil salesmen traveled from town to town duping the vulnerable out of their hard-earned cash. But this is the 21st century of information-rich, consumer-savvy grown-ups capable of making informed decisions. In my opinion, we do not need big brother protecting us from ourselves. Your opinion?

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.