- 1 in 2 people in UK will be diagnosed with a form of cancer during their lifetime
- Oncology dietician Nichole Andrews shares tips to reduce risk on TikTok video
- Advice includes avoiding high intake of red meat and tobacco and alcohol use
Anyone who has witnessed a friend or loved one die from cancer, or has experienced it and survived, knows it can be a terrible disease.
Half of us will develop cancer at some point in our lives, according to Cancer Research UK, and so most will be affected in some way.
With no way to certainly avoid developing cancer, an oncology dietitian on TikTok has shared some top tips to reduce the risk, at the least.
Nichole Andrews, from Washington, U.S., has been a practicing cancer dietitian and nutritionist for over ten years, and now owns Nutrition with Nichole, LLC, which provides nutrition coaching and counseling to cancer survivors worldwide.
The content creator and dietician is also a bestselling author, having published the 450-page cancer-prevention guide Sugar Does Not Feed Cancer in September 2022.
In the video uploaded to her TikTok page on October 21, Nichole listed and explained seven things to avoid in order to reduce the risk of getting cancer.
The post, uploaded to her almost 88K following, has since amassed over 1000 likes and 51 comments from individuals expressing gratitude, while some were armed with further food and lifestyle-related questions for the dietician.
In the footage, Nichole began: ‘When it comes to things that increase your cancer risk, there are only seven things, including lifestyle and food.
‘So often, society and gurus and people are trying to make a quick buck off of trying to tell you all these bizarre things that are increasing cancer risk – they’re not.’
The nutritionist continued: ‘Let’s go through the seven right now. So, number one and two is going to be tobacco and alcohol.
‘You probably heard tobacco but not alcohol – any consumption of any type of alcohol, any amount, will increase your risk of six cancers.
‘Number three is an inactive lifestyle, if you are never exercising and not moving very much – you’re increasing your cancer risk. Let’s get moving.’
‘Number four is high dose supplements. If you take over 200% daily value of a bunch of supplements that you do not need, these become free radicals and increase cancer risk.’
Listing the fifth cancer-causing culprit, processed and red meat, Nichole added: ‘Processed meats increase cancer risk, and a high intake of red meats do as well.’
The dietician also highlighted the dangers of not exercising enough, saying: ‘If you have excess body fat tissue on your body, you will increase risk of 13 cancers.
‘And lastly, if you don’t eat enough plant foods or have a low plant based diet, include more plant food diets to reduce the risk.’
Comments poured in from grateful members of the TikTok community who thanked Nichole for sharing her knowledge.
One person wrote, ‘Thank you!!’ while another said, ‘Great information. I have been learning a lot from you. Thanks.’
Meanwhile, some were prompted to share knowledge they’d learnt from elsewhere while asking further questions about their own lifestyle.
In the video’s caption, Nichole added further information about the advice provided, which reads: ‘Not only can you modify these 7 areas of your life to reduce risk but you can also ADD in so many amazing foods to enjoy and eat daily to reduce your risk as well.’
One person asked, ‘What do you think of the carnivore diet? People on the diet think they have the healthiest of diets,’ to which Nichole responded, ‘They don’t.’
Another asked, ‘How much weight is too much? I’m not lean but I’m in a healthy weight range,’ with the dietician responding, ‘Women have much fat and that’s normal – add in more exercise to build muscle.’
Earlier this year, in March, a registered dietitian lifted the lid on the three foods that she recommends her patients, friends, and family add to their diet – and they’re all seeds.
Mickala Parsley, 27, from Indiana, detailed in a TikTok video shared by WebMD, the benefits of eating chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flaxseed – and how to easily incorporate them into meals.
She noted that they all contain healthy fats, fiber, and protein, but individually, they also have different nutrient profiles and health benefits.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
