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cancer, including those of the stomach, prostate, colon, breast, bladder, esophagus and pancreas to free radicals. Antioxidants are scavengers that neutralize cancer cells before they develop into a mass. Although your body produces its own antioxidants, they are often insufficient to protect against the total oxidative stress we all experience. In fact, scientists have linked free radicals to many different types of diseases. Without the necessary intake of healthy fruits and vegetables, free radicals can spread and eventually lead to stroke, heart attack, arthritis, vision problems, Alzheimer's disease and various types of cancer. The benefits of getting your daily dose of fruits and vegetables are numerous! Fruits and vegetables provide the body with an added source of antioxidants that is needed to properly wage war against free radicals. A study at Harvard University found that men who ate antioxidant rich foods had a 35% lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who ate the least amount of these foods. Even when cancer has been diagnosed, diet continues to be vitally important. Some foods contain substances that neu- tralize the action of carcinogens and slow or prevent the devel- opment of cancer. Importance of Early detection When identified early, cancer is more likely to respond to effective treatment and can result in a greater probability of surviving, less morbidity, and less expensive treatment. Significant improvements can be made in the lives of cancer patients by detecting cancer early and avoiding delays in care. with abnormalities suggestive of a specific cancer or pre-cancer who have not developed any symptoms and refer them promptly for diagnosis and treatment. In absence of early diagnosis, patients are diagnosed at late stages when curative treatment may no longer be an option. It’s time to take charge of your health! Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss what screenings and exams you need and how often. Kepha Nyanumba is a Consultant Nutritionist working with Crystal Health Consultants Limited. You can commune with him on this or related matters vide email at: Ke p h a n y a nu m b a @ g m a i l . c o m , follow him on twitter: @knyanumba or Blog: kephanyanumba.blogspot. com. Screening aims to identify individuals www.sboresearch.co.ke WE COVER IN GREAT DETAIL To get an in-depth detail on the retailers -what Brands they are stocking, stock levels, sale movements, all round retail census and audits plus everything in between - get in touch with us. We’ve got retail covered in great detail. t: +254 20 214 56 68, 210 1916/7 e: [email protected] SBO Research @SBOResearch