Cancer fighting foods – The story behind the headlines

A study published in the Journal of Cancer details specific dietary changes that can dramatically cut the chance of all types of cancer developing – adopting elements of a Mediterranean diet can cut the risk of cancer by 12%. Dr David Servan-Schreiber, author of the new book Anticancer, discovered he had a brain tumour at the age of 31.

After two operations and 13 months of chemotherapy, Servan-Schreiber studied all the research available on how to help your body defend itself against cancer - in particular anticancer foods. He has kept cancer at bay for seven years now after making these changes to his diet and lifestyle. His book explains how particular elements of a Mediterranean diet such as olive oil and legumes actively fight cancer cells.

Servan-Schreiber tells his personal story and the cases he has encountered, alongside focusing on the disease and its mechanisms from a purely scientific and medical angle. He looks at the relationship between a body and its cancer, at the immune system, the new blood vessels necessary for cancer growth, and the roles played by nutrition, environmental toxins, emotions and physical activity in containing cancer.

In the book, Servan-Schreiber explains:

• How exactly foods like green tea, mushrooms, berries, dark chocolate and red wine act to support the immune system and actively fight cancer cells
(and that sugar literally feeds cancer)

• How stress isn't bad for us - it's our response to stress that is crucial. It is feelings of helplessness and lack of support that are extremely harmful

• How to develop a science-based Anticancer diet: small changes that make a big difference

• The effects of environmental toxins and the top household products to replace

The book comes with a pocket guide reproducing all the key information and an Anticancer shopping list to enable readers to easily check what foods to eat and what to avoid - detailing foods that specifically inhibit cell growth in certain cancers.

This truly groundbreaking, positive book swept France by storm and went straight to the top of the bestseller charts. In it, Dr David Servan-Schreiber makes the most compelling and inspiring case for playing a crucial part in your own health. “Everyday at every meal we can choose food that will defend out bodies against the invasion of cancer.

“All of us have cancer cells in our bodies. But not all of us will develop cancer.”

Anticancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber
Paperback £14.99