Prevention of Desmoid Tumor

Executive Summary

Primary preventive measures are considered essential to reduce the risk of desmoid tumor. The actual cause of the desmoid tumor is not yet known. But scientists and healthcare professionals believe that these tumors result from genetic mutations. A healthy change in lifestyle and diet is significant in preventing desmoid tumors. Following an alkaline lifestyle and diet is a natural way to protect healthy tissues from metabolic or dietary acids and help prevent and treat tissue acidosis and the formation of fibroblast cells, thereby preventing desmoid tumors. Obesity is the foremost reason for most diseases and desmoid tumors. Controlling body weight can increase a person’s life efficiency. Being physically active and fit can help people lead a healthy, cancer-free lifestyle. Maintaining the habit of drinking and smoking is essential to leading a healthy, productive life. Regular self-examinations and screenings can help people to detect desmoid tumors early.

Prevention of Desmoid Tumors

Desmoid tumors are usually benign tumors that grow in the body’s connective tissues. These tumors are also known as desmoid-type fibromatosis or aggressive fibromatosis. These tumors can occur in any part of the body where connective tissues are present. There is no sure shot method to treat desmoid tumors.

The actual cause of the desmoid tumor is not yet known. But scientists and healthcare professionals believe that these tumors result from genetic mutations. These tumors generally arise from cells called fibroblasts, which provide structural support and protection to the body’s essential organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, blood vessels and intestines. Fibroblasts play a vital role in wound healing. When these cells undergo specific biological mutations due to metabolic or dietary acids, they become cancerous and transform into desmoid tumors. Hence an increase in fibroblasts is considered a crucial causative factor for desmoid tumors. Most desmoid tumors have an acid damaged or mutated gene called beta-catenin, but experts are still unsure what causes these genes to mutate. Also, people with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a genetic disorder, are highly likely to develop desmoid tumor growths. These tumors can arise in the abdomen or the abdomen wall.

Acid mutations in the FAP gene can cause the growth of hundreds of polyps in the intestine, which can go on to develop into a cancerous condition ^​1​. Hence, patients with FAP are unfortunately advised to surgically remove their intestines to prevent further complications like desmoid tumors. A combination of FAP and the desmoid tumor is collectively called Gardner’s syndrome.

A healthy change in lifestyle and diet is significant in prevention of desmoid tumors ^​2​. Experts believe that desmoid tumors could be prevented by following an alkaline diet and lifestyle. Following an alkaline lifestyle and diet is a natural way to protect healthy tissues from metabolic or dietary acids and help prevent and treat tissue acidosis and the formation of fibroblast cells, thereby prevention is the occurrence of desmoid tumor. The key to preventing the increase of fibroblast cells and the formation of desmoid tumors is by decreasing the tissue acidosis caused by an acidic diet and lifestyle.

The book The pH Miracle, revised and updated by Dr. Robert O. Young and Shelley Redford Young, talks about the five basic tenets of a pH-balanced lifestyle. They are as follows:

1. Open up the four primary elimination channels of the body like the urinary tract, bowels, respiratory system, and skin pores to remove the metabolic and dietary acids.
2.  Cure and heal any damage caused to the intestinal villi due to an acidic diet.
3. Boost the health of the red blood cells.
4. Hyper-perfuse the tissues and blood with alkaline mineral salts, including sodium bicarbonate.
5. Increase the pH of the urine and the saliva to a range of 7.2 by following an alkaline lifestyle, diet and other alkalizing minerals.

Some general precautions can be taken for the prevention of desmoid tumor or other disease conditions in general. Listed below are some cancer or desmoid tumor prevention measures or tips one can follow to lead a cancer-free, healthy lifestyle.

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet: 

Eating a balanced diet is essential in maintaining our overall well-being. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Avoid refined, oily, and charred foods. Including whole grains, pulses and nuts in your diet can be a healthy option. Limit the intake of processed meat.

• Controlling body weight:

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential in leading a disease-free life. Eat light as per your body requirement, rather than indulging in eating large amounts of junk. Obesity stands as the foremost reason for most kinds of diseases and desmoid tumors. Controlling body weight can increase a person’s life efficiency.

• Regular Exercise:

Being physically active and fit can help people lead a healthy, cancer-free lifestyle. Exercising regularly can help control body weight and improve the quality of life. People can practice simple exercises, yoga, and meditation daily to decrease their cancer risk and many other lifestyle diseases.

• Don’t use tobacco and limit the intake of alcohol:

Tobacco is considered a primary cause in increasing a person’s risk of most forms of cancer. Avoiding tobacco use can be a significant step in preventing desmoid tumors and other major diseases. If you find it challenging to quit smoking or any form of tobacco use, you can consult a qualified medical professional to suggest ways to stop the use and control the urge.

Limit the intake of alcohol or altogether quit the habit of drinking. Drinking can cause adverse effects on one’s health. So, controlling the habit is essential to lead a healthy, productive life.

• Regular medical check-ups and care

Regular self-examinations and screenings can help people to detect desmoid tumors early. People need to carry out a complete body check-up at least twice a year. People should observe their bodies and closely look for changes, signs or symptoms of any disease. If a person experiences any signs or symptoms, they should not hesitate to consult a doctor and get a proper diagnosis. People are encouraged to ask questions and clear their doubts regarding any medical condition or disease.

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