There is no unique or accurate gallbladder prevention methode. You can reduce the risk of being diagnosed with the disease by living a healthy lifestyle and avoid carcinogenic environments; lifestyle and environmental factors can be open doors to development of cancer. Even if you are at low risk, you might get cancer if you continue to expose your body to carcinogens.
Gallbladder cancer is not attributable to a unique cause or factor; several factors can cause the formation of cancerous cells in your gallbladder. Although some risk factors such as sex and age are impossible to be avoided, other causative factors can be easily prevented. If you want to prevent gallbladder cancer and many other cancers, it is important to:
- avoid tobacco smoke, including second hand smoke
- adopt a healthy diet: a diet containing 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day may help prevent occurrence of gallbladder cancer
- maintain a healthy weight;
- limit your alcohol intake
- reduce your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
- exercise regularly
- practice safe sex
- tell your dermatologist skin change that for weeks
- Tell your doctor or dentist of any change that indicates the presence of cancer.
Avoid or limit your intake of all foods that contain unhealthy fats:
- Commercial Pizzas
- French fries and potato chips.
- Bacon, bologna, sausage, ground beef, and ribs.
- Unhealthy ice cream, whole milk.
- Unhealthy cheese
- Foods made with lard or butter.
- Creamy soups or sauces
- High-fructose corn syrup and refined sugars
- White flour foods such as white bread, pasta, cake and others.
Increase your intake of the following foods:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: apples, strawberries, avocados, cranberries, berries, grapes, cucumbers and beets, broccoli, bell peppers and oranges.
- Healthy meats and fats: hormone-free chicken, wild fishes (salmon is excellent), lamb, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, walnuts…
- Plenty of water: keep your body hydrating is essential for maintaining the proper amount of water in the bile, thus helping your bladder to stay healthy as well.
This diet advice can be applied during and after the gallbladder cancer treatment, after final word of your nutritionist or health care provider.
References:
- Carriaga MT, Henson DE. Liver, gallbladder, extrahepatic bile ducts, and pancreas. Cancer 1995; 75:171.
- Hamrick RE Jr, Liner FJ, Hastings PR, Cohn I Jr. Primary carcinoma of the gallbladder. Ann Surg 1982; 195:270.
- American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2015. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society, 2015. Available online Exit Disclaimer. Last accessed April 1, 2015.
- Chao TC, Greager JA: Primary carcinoma of the gallbladder. J Surg Oncol 46 (4): 215-21, 1991. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Shoup M, Fong Y: Surgical indications and extent of resection in gallbladder cancer. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 11 (4): 985-94, 2002. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Sasson AR, Hoffman JP, Ross E, et al.: Trimodality therapy for advanced gallbladder cancer. Am Surg 67 (3): 277-83; discussion 284, 2001. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Yamaguchi K, Chijiiwa K, Ichimiya H, et al. Gallbladder carcinoma in the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Arch Surg 1996; 131:981.
- A prospective analysis of 1518 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The Southern Surgeons Club. N Engl J Med 1991; 324:1073.
- Strom BL, Soloway RD, Rios-Dalenz JL, et al. Risk factors for gallbladder cancer. An international collaborative case-control study. Cancer 1995; 76:1747.
- Randi G, Franceschi S, La Vecchia C. Gallbladder cancer worldwide: geographical distribution and risk factors. Int J Cancer 2006; 118:1591.
- Afdhal NH. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.Goldman’s Cecil Medicine