Two recent reports paint a bleak picture of the UK’s fight against cancer. The first report to come out warned the pandemic may have put survival rates into “reverse”. The second found more patients are diagnosed with cancer in an emergency in the UK than any other high-income comparable country. A new study does provide cause for optimism, however.
Liquorice – known for the popular sweet – may play a role in preventing or treating certain types of cancer, according to researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Gnanasekar Munirathinam, an associate professor at the College of Medicine Rockford and his research team are studying substances derived from the liquorice plant Glycyrrhiza glabra to determine if they could be used to prevent or stop the growth of prostate cancer.
A research review into molecular insights of a liquorice-derived substance called glycyrrhizin for preventing or treating cancer conducted by Doctor Munirathinam and student researchers suggests further research could lead to specific agents for clinical use.
“When we look at the research out there and our own data, it appears that glycyrrhizin and its derivative glycyrrhetinic acid have great potential as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents,” Professor Munirathinam said.
READ MORE: More patients diagnosed with cancer in an emergency in UK than other countries – symptoms
Cancer Research UK explains: “Chemicals in cigarette smoke get in to our blood stream and can cause damage around the body.”
Therefore, if you smoke, the best thing you can do for your health is quit.
According to Cancer Research UK, having healthy food and drink can reduce your risk of cancer.
“Aim to have plenty of fruit and vegetables, foods high in fibre and healthy proteins,” advises the charity.
It continues: “Cut down on processed and red meat, and high calorie foods and drinks.”
Researchers have found processed meat increases your risk of cancers of the bowel.
Processed meat is meat that’s been preserved by smoking, curing, salting or adding preservatives.