Cancer in Young Adults: Can Intermittent Fasting Be a Prevention Method?

Cancer in young adults is an increasing health concern. In 2023, an estimated 85,980 adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 39 in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer, constituting about 4% of all cancer diagnoses.

The most common cancers in this age group are breast, thyroid, testicular, and melanoma, with other significant incidences including brain and CNS tumors, cervical, leukemia, lymphoma, and sarcomas. (1) Colorectal cancers such as colon cancer, bowel cancer, and rectal cancer are also showing an alarming increase.

While researching ways to treat a disease – in this case: cancers – preventive health is just as important. In this article, we highlight the potential of intermittent fasting as both a preventative measure and a complementary treatment approach, offering insights into a cancer prevention diet.

Fasting and cancer: What’s the science behind it?

Intermittent fasting’s benefits extend beyond weight loss. Following an intermittent fasting schedule or a fasting-mimicking diet has shown potential to decrease cancer risk and slow cancer growth, as evidenced by animal studies and preliminary human trials.

One of the key ways intermittent fasting may contribute to cancer prevention is through its profound effects on hormone regulation. Fasting lowers insulin levels and increases insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of insulin-related cancers such as breast and colorectal cancers. It also triggers a decrease in growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), both associated with cellular aging and cancer development. These hormonal shifts not only promote metabolic health but also enhance the body’s ability to repair damaged cells and eliminate precancerous ones. This interplay between fasting, hormone regulation, and cancer prevention highlights the potential of intermittent fasting as a proactive approach to reducing cancer risk in young adults.(2)

The effect of intermittent fasting to prevent cancers works like this: 

• Decreased blood glucose production, which can starve cancer cells and inhibit their growth.
• Recycling of old and damaged cells through the autophagy process.
• Regeneration of the immune system triggered by stem cells, enhancing the body’s natural defense against cancer.
• Balanced nutritional intake, ensuring the body receives essential nutrients without promoting cancer cell growth.
• Increased production of tumor-killing cells, boosting the body’s capacity to fight existing and prevent new cancers.

Research further suggests that fasting can reverse obesity and type 2 diabetes in mice, both of which are significant cancer risk factors, thereby supporting the role of fasting in cancer treatment.

Additionally, fasting-mimicking diets have been linked to a reduction in cancer incidence and a decrease in biomarkers and risk factors for cancer in both animal and human studies.

A groundbreaking 2016 study demonstrated that combining fasting with chemotherapy could slow the progression of breast cancer and skin cancer more effectively than chemotherapy alone.

This synergistic effect results from fasting-induced increases in common lymphoid progenitor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, enhancing the body’s tumor-fighting capabilities.

Moreover, short-term starvation was found to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy while safeguarding healthy cells, further supported by an increase in stem cell production.

Integrating fasting into cancer prevention and treatment

It’s clear that intermittent fasting could play a crucial role in cancer prevention, particularly for young adults at risk of colorectal cancers. By incorporating fasting strategies into your lifestyle, alongside a diet rich in cancer prevention foods, you can take proactive steps towards mitigating cancer risk.

Cancer prevention diet

A cancer prevention diet typically emphasizes whole, plant-based foods rich in nutrients and antioxidants while minimizing processed foods, red meat, and sugary beverages to minimize inflammation in the body. Here’s a general guideline for foods to include in a cancer prevention diet:

• Fruits and vegetables: Aim for a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help reduce the risk of cancer. Berries, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower), carrots, tomatoes, and citrus fruits are particularly beneficial.
• Whole grains: Choose whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, barley, oats, and whole wheat bread over refined grains. Whole grains provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health and may reduce cancer risk.
• Legumes: Add beans, lentils, chickpeas, and other legumes into your meals. They’re high in fiber, protein, and various nutrients linked to lower cancer risk.
• Nuts and seeds: Enjoy nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and seeds like flaxseeds, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds as snacks or toppings for salads and yogurt. They provide healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants.
• Healthy fats: Choose sources of healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, fatty fish (such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines), and nuts and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids found in these foods have anti-inflammatory properties that may help prevent cancer.
• Herbs and spices: Incorporate herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic, and cinnamon into your cooking. They contain compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that may help protect against cancer.
• Green tea: Drink green tea regularly, as it contains polyphenols and antioxidants that have been associated with a reduced risk of cancer.
• Moderate alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, and liver cancer.

Additional tips to prevent cancer include:

Limiting processed and red meat: Minimize consumption of processed meats like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs, as well as red meats like beef, pork, and lamb. High intake of these meats has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.

Limiting sugary foods and beverages: Reduce your intake of sugary foods and beverages, as high sugar consumption may contribute to inflammation and increase cancer risk.

Maintaining a healthy weight: Aim to maintain your ideal body weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Obesity is a risk factor for several types of cancer, so maintaining a healthy weight can help lower your risk.

Bear in mind

Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for all types or stages of cancer! If you are currently battling cancer or have a history of cancer, you should consult your doctor before starting the intermittent fasting regimen.

If you are in good health and are only going to do intermittent fasting as a preventive healthcare method, you can get Fasting Kompanion to have the most suitable fasting plan according to your physiology and needs.

To sum up

The rise in cancer among young adults, along with the evolving landscape of cancer treatment and prevention, underscores the need for innovative approaches like intermittent fasting. By embracing a lifestyle that includes periodic fasting and a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, young adults can empower themselves with additional strategies to prevent and combat cancer, highlighting the importance of both traditional and emerging methods in ensuring long-term health and well-being.