The findings, say researchers, suggest that many family caregivers need help
as well — for the sake of their own health and that of the cancer patient.

Of the 60 female caregivers in the study:

1. 40 percent had significant anxiety symptoms
2. 12 percent were suffering from depression
3. About one-third reported substantial fatigue or sleep disturbances; and 
4. Another 15 percent complained of bodily pain

The women, mostly wives, were 64 years old, on average, and their rates of
each of these conditions surpassed the average for U.S. women their age, the
researchers point out.

Experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recently reported that whole foods, not dietary supplements, play a role in lowering cancer risk. Citing a huge and comprehensive AICR report on cancer prevention, the panel of experts cautioned against relying on pills and powders as a means of protection.

“When the panel examined the accumulated evidence from almost 50 different supplement trials, cohort studies and case-control studies, the results were simply too inconsistent to justify using supplements to protect against cancer,” said AICR Nutrition Advisor Karen Collins, MS, RD.

The panel also reported that under certain conditions, some high-dose supplements seemed protective at specific doses, some did nothing, and some actually increased the risk of cancer.

“Let’s be clear: although some people have misread the recommendation as simply, ‘Don’t take supplements ever,’ that’s not what the expert panel concluded,” said Collins. “The panel members were careful to make an important distinction, namely: Don’t rely on supplements to protect you from cancer.”

Different Grades for Different Cancer Links

Of all the supplements reviewed by the panel, only two seemed to have a potential role in protection, and even then the research was less than clear.

*According to the panel, selenium probably protects against prostate cancer, while calcium probably protects against colorectal cancer. Yet they also concluded that high calcium consumption probably increases risk for prostate cancer.*

Whole Foods vs. Supplements

The data on prevention are considerably more consistent, however, when it comes to foods that contain many of the same vitamins, minerals and other substances that are often sold in supplement form. The panel judged the evidence on several categories of such foods as protective against a variety of cancers, including:

* Foods containing lycopene are probably protective against prostate cancer.
* Foods containing selenium are probably protective against prostate cancer.

That said, no matter how you say it, “to-may-to” or “to-mah-to,” it’s good for you.  Have a pizza.