Certain types of Cancer
What is Certain types of Cancer?
Cancer happens when cells in your body grow out of control and spread to other areas. There are many different types of cancer, and each one behaves differently in the body. Some cancers develop slowly over years, while others grow quickly and spread fast.
Research shows that nutrition plays a role in cancer risk. Low levels of folate, a B vitamin that helps your body make and repair DNA, may increase the risk of certain cancers. These include colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and some blood cancers. Folate helps protect DNA from damage that can lead to cancer cells forming.
Understanding your folate levels through blood testing is one way to assess your risk factors. While folate status alone does not diagnose cancer, it gives you important information about your nutritional health and potential vulnerabilities.
Symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more
- Persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Fever that comes and goes without clear cause
- Pain in a specific area that worsens over time
- Skin changes including darkening, yellowing, or redness
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits lasting more than a few days
- Unusual bleeding or discharge from any body opening
- Lumps or thickening that can be felt under the skin
- Difficulty swallowing or persistent indigestion
- Persistent cough or hoarseness that does not go away
Many cancers cause no symptoms in their early stages. That is why regular screening and blood testing are important for catching problems early.
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Causes and risk factors
Cancer develops when genetic changes cause cells to ignore normal growth signals. These changes can happen due to inherited genes, environmental exposures, or lifestyle factors. Low folate levels may contribute to cancer risk because folate is essential for proper DNA copying and repair. Without enough folate, DNA damage can accumulate and lead to cancer cells forming.
Risk factors include smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol heavily, eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables, being overweight or obese, not getting regular physical activity, and prolonged sun exposure. Age is also a major risk factor, as most cancers develop in people over 50. Some people inherit gene mutations that increase cancer risk, while others develop mutations due to environmental exposures like radiation or certain chemicals.
How it's diagnosed
Cancer diagnosis typically requires multiple tests including physical exams, imaging scans like CT or MRI, and biopsies where tissue is examined under a microscope. Blood tests can provide important clues about cancer risk and help guide further testing. Folate testing measures your vitamin B9 levels, which research links to cancer risk in certain types.
Rite Aid offers folate testing as an add-on to our blood panel. Testing your folate levels can help you understand your nutritional status and identify if you need to increase your intake through diet or supplements. Regular blood testing gives you a baseline to track changes over time and catch potential problems early.
Treatment options
- Eat a diet rich in folate including leafy greens, beans, citrus fruits, and fortified grains
- Take folic acid supplements if your doctor recommends them to raise low levels
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol to reduce cancer risk significantly
- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity
- Get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week
- Protect your skin from sun damage with sunscreen and protective clothing
- Follow recommended cancer screening guidelines for your age and risk factors
- Work with your doctor to address any inherited cancer risks in your family
- Consider genetic counseling if multiple family members have had cancer
- If cancer is diagnosed, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted drug therapy
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- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Low folate does not directly cause cancer, but research shows it may increase risk for certain types. Folate helps your body copy and repair DNA correctly. When folate levels are too low, DNA damage can accumulate over time, which may lead to cancer cells forming.
Studies have found associations between low folate and colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and some blood cancers like leukemia. The evidence is strongest for colorectal cancer. However, folate status is just one of many factors that influence cancer risk.
Most people should check folate levels during annual blood work or when symptoms suggest a deficiency. If you have low folate, your doctor may recommend retesting every 3 to 6 months to track improvement. People with digestive disorders or those taking certain medications may need more frequent monitoring.
Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale are excellent sources. Beans, lentils, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli also provide significant amounts. Many breakfast cereals and grain products are fortified with folic acid, the synthetic form of folate.
Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 found in foods. Folic acid is the synthetic form used in supplements and fortified foods. Your body converts folic acid to folate after you consume it.
The relationship between folate supplements and cancer is complex. Correcting a deficiency may lower risk, but very high doses might promote growth of existing cancer cells. Always talk to your doctor before starting supplements, especially if you have a cancer history.
Watch for unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, fever without clear cause, and pain that worsens over time. Also note any unusual bleeding, changes in bowel or bladder habits, lumps under the skin, or a cough that lasts more than a few weeks. See your doctor promptly if you experience any of these symptoms.
Yes, having close relatives with cancer can increase your risk, especially if multiple family members were affected or they developed cancer at young ages. Some families carry inherited gene mutations that significantly raise cancer risk. Genetic counseling can help you understand your family history and whether testing for inherited mutations makes sense.
Alcohol interferes with how your body absorbs and uses folate. Heavy drinking lowers folate levels and independently increases risk for several cancers including mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, and colorectal cancer. Limiting alcohol helps protect your folate status and reduces cancer risk through multiple pathways.
Not smoking is the single most important change you can make. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol all significantly reduce risk. Getting recommended cancer screenings helps catch problems early when they are most treatable.