Para muchas personas, las hamburguesas asadas o las verduras crujientes son los platos favoritos. Pero, ¿comer alimentos a la parrilla o asados o alimentos cocinados a altas temperaturas puede afectar al riesgo de desarrollar cáncer?

Se encuentran varios tipos de sustancias químicas en carnes a la parrilla, asadas y bien cocidas, así como en algunos alimentos a base de plantas horneados, tostados o fritos cuando se cocinan a altas temperaturas. Aquí encontrará información sobre cuáles son estas sustancias químicas, cómo pueden afectar al riesgo de desarrollar cáncer y qué puede hacer para reducir su exposición a sustancias químicas al cocinar.

¿Cuáles son las sustancias químicas que se encuentran en los alimentos a la parrilla o en los alimentos cocinados a altas temperaturas?

Dos sustancias químicas, los hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (HAP) y las aminas heterocíclicas (AHC), se desarrollan de forma natural al cocinar carne. Cuando cocina carne, la grasa y el jugo gotean en la bandeja de goteo de la parrilla, lo que provoca llamas y humo que contienen HAP. Esto, a su vez, recubre la carne con HAP. Los HAP también se encuentran en los alimentos ahumados, el humo del tabaco y el escape del auto. Mientras tanto, las AHC se producen de forma natural cuando se calienta carne, como carne de res, pollo, cerdo o pescado, a altas temperaturas.

Otra sustancia química llamada acrilamida se desarrolla de forma natural al cocinar, tostar o freír papas u otros alimentos a base de plantas a altas temperaturas. La acrilamida es una sustancia química que se forma cuando los azúcares reaccionan con aminoácidos en los alimentos que se hornean, fritan o tuestan. Puede encontrar acrilamida en papas fritas u horneadas, galletas y otros productos horneados, y café. El agua potable y el humo del tabaco también contienen acrilamida, y las personas que fuman tienen niveles más altos de biomarcadores de acrilamida en la sangre que los no fumadores, según un estudio de 2010 sobre Perspectivas de salud medioambiental (en inglés).

Si desea obtener más información sobre qué alimentos contienen acrilamida, la Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos) de los EE. UU. publica en línea el contenido de acrilamida en miles de alimentos (en inglés).

¿Pueden los HAP y las ACH causar cáncer?

En estudios con animales, los roedores que siguieron una dieta con dosis elevadas de HAP y AHC desarrollaron varios tipos diferentes de cáncer. Por ejemplo, en un estudio publicado en la revista Carcinogenesis (en inglés), los roedores alimentados con AHC en su dieta tenían más probabilidades de desarrollar cáncer de mama y cáncer de colon. Sin embargo, los estudios en seres humanos no han demostrado que los HAP o las AHC causen cáncer, y esta sigue siendo un área de investigación en curso.

El estudio de estas sustancias químicas en humanos es especialmente difícil porque es difícil identificar la cantidad exacta de HAP o AHC que una persona consume basándose en cuestionarios sobre su ingesta diaria de alimentos. Además, los niveles de HAP y de AHC pueden variar según el tipo de carne, la duración de la cocción y la temperatura de cocción. Por último, la forma en que su cuerpo metaboliza estas sustancias químicas o su exposición a estas sustancias químicas en su entorno pueden diferir de la de otra persona. Para algunas personas, esto podría afectar probablemente a su riesgo de desarrollar cáncer.

“No hay una recomendación clara sobre lo que es una cantidad segura (para consumir),” dice Julie Lanford, MPH, RD, CSO, LDN, una dietista registrada y la autora y creadora de CancerDietitian.com. Pero Lanford no recomienda evitar por completo las carnes a la parrilla. En su lugar, aconseja a las personas que cocinan a la parrilla con más frecuencia, como una o dos veces a la semana, que seleccionen diversos alimentos, como verduras, pescado cocido en papel de aluminio o carnes bajas en grasa, para reducir su exposición a HAP y AHC.

Otras formas de reducir posiblemente la exposición a estas sustancias químicas incluyen:

• Intentar evitar las llamaradas que pueden carbonizar la carne
• Precocer parcialmente las carnes para reducir el tiempo en la parrilla
• Marinar la carne previamente para proporcionar una capa protectora contra estas sustancias químicas

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“Coma muchas frutas, verduras, cereales integrales, fríjoles, frutos secos y semillas. Si puede equilibrar los alimentos que podrían tener un mayor riesgo de carcinógenos con grandes cantidades de alimentos buenos, saludables y nutritivos, obtendrá el equilibrio adecuado”.–Julie Lanford, MPH, RD, CSO, LDN, una nutricionista registrada y la autora y creadora de CancerDietitian.com

¿Puede la acrilamida causar cáncer?

La acrilamida se identificó por primera vez en alimentos en 2002 (en inglés) y, aunque probablemente no sea una sustancia química nueva, desde entonces han ido aumentando los estudios de sus efectos sobre la salud.

En estudios con animales, se ha descubierto que los niveles altos de acrilamida causan varios tipos de cáncer, según la FDA (en inglés). Sin embargo, los estudios en personas no son concluyentes. Esto podría deberse a la dificultad para calcular el nivel de ingesta de acrilamida en la dieta de una persona. Además, los niveles de acrilamida en los alimentos pueden variar en función de la temperatura de cocción, la duración de la cocción, el almacenamiento de los alimentos y otros factores.

El panel de la Autoridad Europea de Seguridad Alimentaria (en inglés) y la Organización Conjunta de Agricultura y Alimentos de las Naciones Unidas/el Comité Experto de la Organización Mundial de la Salud sobre Aditivos Alimentarios (en inglés) categorizan la acrilamida como una inquietud y recomiendan seguir estudiando el posible riesgo de cáncer en las personas. Mientras tanto, la Agencia Internacional para la Investigación del Cáncer (en inglés) considera que la acrilamida es un probable carcinógeno humano, y el Programa Nacional de Toxicología de los EE. UU. (en inglés) clasifica la acrilamida como “previsto razonablemente como carcinógeno humano”.

La FDA no publica qué niveles de acrilamida son aceptables en una dieta y no aconseja dejar de comer alimentos con acrilamida. En su lugar, se recomienda seguir una dieta equilibrada y saludable que contenga una variedad de verduras, frutas, cereales, productos lácteos sin grasa o bajos en grasa y proteínas.

Sin embargo, si desea reducir la acrilamida en su dieta, la FDA le ofrece estos consejos:

• Tueste el pan hasta que esté de un marrón dorado en lugar de uno oscuro.
• Siga las instrucciones de la etiqueta de los alimentos para freír o cocinar alimentos congelados, como las papas fritas, y evite sobrecocinarlos.
• Almacene las papas en una zona fresca y seca, pero no en el refrigerador; esto puede aumentar la acrilamida durante la cocción.

La información de esta publicación se basa en la investigación actual y en las opiniones de expertos disponibles hoy en día. Estos hallazgos pueden cambiar a medida que surjan más investigaciones sobre este tema.

Each year, cancerCare hosts “Do Something for cancerCare,” an annual DIY event where people create their own fundraising activities to raise money and give back to the organization which impacted their cancer journey, or helped a loved one during their experience.

As we launch this year’s Do Something campaign, we wanted to share a story about a group of young men who are doing something in memory of their friend:

In Fairfield, Connecticut, a group of childhood friends shared an unbreakable bond with Ryan Van Zandt, who was “anything but boring and knew how to entertain those around him,” shared Ryan’s friend, Conor. From childhood to his early twenties, His contagious smile, humor and kindness endeared him to everyone who met him.

It was Ryan’s love of sports and his second diagnosis of a rare form of cancer that led his friends to start “Reps 4 Ryan” in 2015. Combining golf and fitness, the group organized a local golf tournament at the Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course, along with a viral social media challenge.

“Each and every day had more and more people posting pictures and videos of them throwing reps up in the gym in their Reps 4 Ryan gear,” said Conor. This online presence became so large that it eventually caught the attention of a few Miami Dolphins football players, Ryan’s favorite NFL football team.

At only 25 years old, “to see Ryan receive his second diagnosis was not just devastating, but aggravating at the same time. That’s two times too many and two times more than most people have to go through such an experience.”

“All of those horrible feelings were quickly channeled into motivation to act for Ryan and his tremendous family.” Conor added that “as sad of a time as it was for us with Ryan’s health, it was an incredibly special thing to see so many people band together. Short on energy and strength due to his ailing health at the time, Ryan rallied and joined everyone at the course for that first tournament in 2015.”

When Ryan passed away in 2016, his friends channeled their feelings of grief and loss into Reps 4 Ryan, now an annual tradition that continues to make an impact. Drawing over 100+ participants each fall, the funds raised at the tournament go towards cancerCare‘s support services and cancer research. Reps 4 Ryan is no longer just an event – it’s a reunion, a celebration and a way to remember the warmth of their family member and friend. It brings Ryan’s community back each year, honoring his memory and the enduring bonds they share.

Ryan’s mother, Lorette, added that he “inspired more than just the Reps 4 Ryan team.” Two books were actually written about him. “Everyone has grieved in different ways,” she said. “But largely, those around him have found the outlets of continuing to help others and connect more with their community as the most positive and helpful way to confront our devastating loss.”

In honoring Ryan’s spirit, Reps 4 Ryan exemplifies the impact a close-knit community can wield as a force for good. “There’s a tremendous buzz around this tournament for so many people and that buzz is something each of us are proud to be a part of and we’re confident that Ryan would love knowing how much he is still loved and missed by all.”

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Florida dermatologists say the skin cancer that killed Jimmy Buffett is becoming more common in the Sunshine State and urge residents to look out for a few unique features.

While rare, the aggressive skin cancer pops up most often in skin areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, scalp or neck. People who are fair-skinned, older than 50, and exposed regularly to the sun are at higher risk of developing Merkel cell carcinoma. The key to survival is finding out early, and acting quickly.

People diagnosed and treated for this form of skin cancer while it is still localized have a five-year survival rate of 75%, but once it spreads to a distant organ, the survival rate plunges to only 24%.

What to look for

In Delray Beach, dermatologist Steven Hacker says he has many patients he is treating or following that have Merkel cell carcinoma.

“It looks like a very non-specific bump that is flesh-colored or reddish blue and can be the size of an eraser tip on a pencil,” he said. “It needs to be biopsied to make a diagnosis. The sooner it’s caught, the better your chances are.”

If something looks like a pimple or bug bite and doesn’t go away, get checked by a dermatologist, he said. It some cases, the original bump spawns more nearby.

Merkel cell carcinoma can be aggressive, especially when it spreads to distant parts of the body. It is the second most common cause of skin cancer-related death, after melanoma.

“While it’s rare in the U.S., in Florida we actually see a lot of it,” said Dr. Michael Kasper, director of radiation oncology with Lynn cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health, at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “We see it a couple of times a month.”

And, while it is more common in men, Kasper says they see women with it too. “With the population living in Florida, one of biggest things that sets us apart is the suppressed immune system that happens as we age.”

Kasper said with Merkel, the nodule below the skin’s surface tends to be hard or firm, although not at all painful. “It can grow fairly quickly. Sometimes, doctors who don’t know what it is will try to drain it and nothing will come out,” he said. “It should not be drained. If you know what you are looking at, you know not to drain it. If you find it early and it is localized, most of the time it can be cured.”

A virus called Merkel cell polyomavirus may play a role in causing most cases of the cancer, Kasper said. Just how this virus causes Merkel cell carcinoma is still unknown.

When a biopsy shows Merkel cell carcinoma, doctors will remove the nodule, but also do radiation to completely get rid of cancerous tissue and reduce the chance of recurrence. There also will be a biopsy of the nearby lymph node and a full body PET scan to see if the cancer has spread to organs. Oncologists recommend immunotherapy if the Merkel cell carcinoma has spread or is inoperable. In 2019, the federal government approved an new immunotherapy to treat people with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma.

Other skin cancers

Although skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis is the U.S., most Americans fail to get checked regularly, according to an online survey in January of more than 2,000 people by Prevent cancer Foundation. The survey found 70% of Americans 21 and older have not had a skin check in the past year.

The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Anyone, regardless of skin color, can get these, although those with freckles, fair skin and light hair are most at risk.

Basal cell carcinomas typically grow slowly and don’t spread to other areas of the body. But if this cancer isn’t treated, the cells can expand deeper and penetrate into nerves and bones. Squamous cell cancer usually is not life-threatening, but if not treated, can grow large or spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is the most serious type of the more common skin cancers because it is most likely to grow and spread.

Merkel cell carcinoma is is 40 times rarer than melanoma. Buffett, the “Margaritaville” singer and legendary Florida beach fan, had been battling it for four years.

About a dozen other rare types of skin cancer also exist.

Legendary Jamaican singer, musician and songwriter Bob Marley died of a rare skin cancer when he was only 36 years old. He had acral lentiginous melanoma that appeared as a dark spot under his toenail. ALM typically develops under nails, on the soles of the feet or the palms of the hands and is the most common form of melanoma found in people of color.

“If you have a spot that is evolving or changing rapidly over weeks or months have it checked out,” said Dr. Charles Dunn, a dermatology resident with ADCS Orlando Dermatology “You can get skin cancer in areas that are not even exposed to sun.”

Dunn said with all skin cancers, but particularly with Merkel, “time is of the essence.” Early detection, he said, results in better survival statistics.

Be vigilant, get checked

Dr. Rajiv Nathoo, a dermatologist and complex clinic director for Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Clinics in Orlando, said there is a lot of misdiagnosis with skin cancer and advises Floridians to get their regular skin check with board-certified dermatologists. “The general public should be aware of red flags and seek out care, but skin cancer is complex and it’s why we exist as field.” Nathoo said he has a patient in hospice with Merkel who was misdiagnosed, and the skin cancer has now spread. “It’s a big deal because of the mortality statistics. A third of the time with Merkel it has metastasized by the time it’s diagnosed.”

Although genetics and an individual’s immune system play a role, dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen, avoiding sunburns, and staying indoors during the hottest times of the day. In addition, Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, has been shown to reduce the number of skin cancers when taken orally, but the benefits are lost once you stop taking it, according to a report in Harvard Health Publishing.

“Talk with your dermatologist to see if you are a candidate for Nicotinamide,” Hacker said.

While dermatologists recommend annual skin checks, those over 65 might consider twice a year.

“It’s really crucial to now what’s normal for you and your skin,” said Heather Macky, senior director of cancer prevention and early detection at the Prevent cancer Foundation. “If you notice a mole, freckle or bump that’s changing in size, shape or color, bring it to the attention of your provider, and don’t wait.”

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