Protecting yourself from esophageal cancer....... - Cancer: Esophageal Message Board

Red60 · 03-17-2008, 04:17 PM

I like a many of you on this board take PPI even though they do not seem to help a great deal with my symptoms. I currently use nexium 2x per day as instructed by doctor to protect myself from cancer. First I really do not know if PPIs have been proven to protect us from this and second I don't believe that long term usage of PPIs is ideal for the absorbtion of nutrients. Anyway to make a long story short I started doing a little bit of investigating to see what I else I could do that might at least offer some prevention against the developement of esophageal cancer. I came up with a couple of simple things that have had a number of studies.

First Green Tea appears to be protective for esophageal and stomach cancer. At least we know Green Tea is safe and it has a number of other health benifits so I don't see any harm in drinking 3 or 4 cups a day.

Black Raspberries aslo have been studied and found to be effective. It could be that many other berries are effective so I try to eat a variety of them. These studies used the freeze dried powdered form. Good thing because you don't see these in the store in my area.

If you have any other idea be sure to add them on. Thanks........Red

bubblegirl · 03-18-2008, 06:34 AM

Ah that's good news about the green tea!

I have one cup after breakfast each morning anyway but I might increase it. I was advised my gastro doc to not sleep too flat, so I have bought myself a medical wedge. I put this on top of the mattress (it has it's own slip) with one pillow on top & it props me into a more upright position. The slope is quite gradual starting from the waist area. I think this is helping quite a bit, but it did take a bit of getting use to!

Kassie29 · 03-19-2008, 03:21 PM

Red,

When you say black raspberries do you mean blackberries? or is there such a thing as raspberries that are black? I've never seen these.

Several studies have suggested a link between cancer and selenium deficiency. Brazil nuts and walnuts are good sources. Walnuts also have the beneficial omega-3 too. I try to have a handful each day, along with my green tea. Will try to incorporate the black raspberries / blackberries also, if I can find the former. My Dad had esophageal cancer so I'm trying to do everything I can to help prevent it.

Kassie

Red60 · 03-19-2008, 08:15 PM

The berry that was used in the study was a black raspberry. I found a grower thats located about 80 miles from where I live. I need to contact them so they can notify me when their crop is ripe. In the study they used a freeze dried powdered form of the berry. The summary also stated that other berries may have the same effect but at this time they have not been specifically studied.

Good tip on the selenium I know it is fairly well studied in regard to cancer in general and Brazil nuts are a great source.

linda36 · 03-20-2008, 03:53 PM

I'm curious - where did you get the green tea info? The last study I saw said it doesn't effect anything and is overrated so I stopped drinking it.