When it comes to lowering your risk of cancer, what you add to your plate can make a meaningful difference.

Jeanna Rich, an oncology registered dietitian with OSF Cancer Support Services, says the key is nourishing the body with whole grains, colorful fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich foods and Omega-3s.

As someone who works closely with cancer patients, Rich encourages people to think of food as a daily opportunity to fuel the immune system and support long-term health.

Why fiber matters

Most Americans fall short on fiber; a nutrient vital for good gut bacteria, healthy digestion and lowering the risk of colorectal cancer.

Rich says increasing fiber can be simple. Start by working whole grains into meals: oats, wild rice, flax seed, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds. They can easily be sprinkled onto cottage cheese, Greek yogurt or oatmeal to boost texture and nutrition.

Research backs up these benefits. A large group of researchers from 15 international cohort studies, including scientists from the American Cancer Society (ACS), analyzed data from more than 842,000 men across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Their findings suggest that dietary fiber may lower the risk of developing advanced and aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Additional ACS findings note that whole grains may help fight against advanced prostate cancer.

Rich offers a practical approach to building a fiber-forward breakfast.

"Another great way to add fiber is with our yogurt. A lot of us make yogurt parfaits, but here's a way to take it to the next level. Add chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts," Rich says. "Top them with berries, which contain a ton of fiber."

Berries – whether fresh or frozen – are packed with vitamins, antioxidants and deep pigments that signal high nutrient content. Rich recommends buying frozen berries and storing them in the fridge to thaw, making them easy to add into yogurt, cottage cheese or morning oatmeal. Frozen produce can be a cost-effective option, especially when items are out of season, Rich says. Thanks to the flash-freezing process, these foods retain their nutrients and offer the same high-quality nutrition as fresh varieties, she adds.

Other high-fiber additions include quinoa, lentils and canned beans, which are paired well with salads, vegetables and hearty meals.

The power of Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and strengthening immune cells.

Some plant-based Omega-3s are found in foods like ground flax seed, but Rich notes that fish-based sources are more efficiently used by the body.

"Some Omega-3s will be found in ground flax seed. However, your body doesn't utilize it as effectively. So, you want to go for those Omega-3s, found in salmon. Keep it frozen in your freezer and choose products that are wild caught. That will have a higher concentration of Omega-3s," Rich says. "Omega-3s help decrease inflammation in our body and increases our fighter cells, so it's a wonderful way to protect from chronic disease and cancer."

Salmon can easily be added into breakfast dishes, salads or purchased as salmon patties. Canned sardines are another convenient, nutrient-dense option.

A need for more vegetables, and more variety

Despite growing awareness of the benefits of produce, Americans still struggle to get enough vegetables into their diet.

"A lot of us are not getting enough vegetables. Many Americans are getting a decent amount of fruit, but vegetables are the tricky ones. When it comes to veggies, diversity is key," Rich says. "On average, most of us only use the same 10 vegetables in our eating routine."

Rich encourages using easy steamer bags filled with multiple vegetables. These mixes often include an array of colors – a good sign you're getting a wide range of nutrients that help fight cancer and chronic disease.

The benefits of polyphenols

Colorful fruits and vegetables bring another powerful nutrient group: polyphenols.

"Polyphenols, flavonoids and lycopene are some key words you may be hearing. Those are the things that are activated in your body and helping protect you," Rich says. "Polyphenols are becoming very popular and are in studies about the gut microbiome. That is considered a source of prebiotics, as well. All these different colors can help feed that good bacteria that helps your immune system be healthy."

Lycopene – found in red and orange produce like tomatoes and peppers – is known to help protect against prostate cancer. Cooked tomatoes are especially beneficial because heat increases lycopene concentration.

Rich suggests adding tomatoes into soups, stews and chili to boost cancer-fighting potential.

What kinds of cancer can a healthy diet protect against?

According to Rich, the right dietary patterns can help protect against a wide range of cancers:

• Breast
• Ovarian
• Gynecologic
• Prostate
• Colorectal
• Gastric

Fiber, Omega-3s and polyphenols are particularly powerful against colorectal and gastric cancers.

Additionally, managing weight through a balanced diet can reduce estrogen production in adipose tissue — a factor that increases breast cancer risk.

Fiber, protein, fruits and vegetables help reduce that risk and help us live a healthier life.

Surprising ways to get more protein

Protein also plays a crucial role in prevention and is especially important for those undergoing treatment.

Rich offers several easy, creative ways to boost protein intake:

• Scrambled eggs: Whisk in cottage cheese to make them “extra fluffy and packed with more protein.”
• Greek yogurt: Blend into red tomato sauce or pasta dishes or use it to make spinach artichoke dip.
• Oatmeal: Add kefir to boost protein and probiotics, helping reduce blood sugar spikes and inflammation.

Foods and drinks to limit or avoid

To best support your health, Rich recommends minimizing:

• Ultra-processed foods
• Artificial additives
• Alcohol
• Excess red meats
• Color dyes
• Processed meats

These items contribute to inflammation and can increase the risk of several types of cancer.

To learn more about how cooking and nutrition work together to improve your health, visit the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute Teaching Kitchen's website. 

The Peoria, Illinois-based hospital system has brought surgical oncologist Tamara Floyd, MD, to the care team at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Dr. Floyd performs cytoreductive and HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) surgeries in Peoria, while also seeing patients in Bloomington and Galesburg.

HIPEC procedures are mostly for patients who have tumors or cancer spread in the abdominal cavity. 

Cancerous tumors are removed through cytoreductive surgery where the surgeon initially attempts to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Surgery is then followed by HIPEC, which is when a heated chemotherapy – at just over 106 degrees Fahrenheit – is administered into the abdomen. The heated chemo is then circulated around the area inside the abdomen to treat any remaining microscopic tumor cells.

HIPEC can be beneficial for several types of cancer patients. The one it benefits the most is LAMN, or low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. HIPEC is considered a standard of care for patients who have seen their cancer spread into the space in the abdomen that contains the abdominal organs.

These can be appendix, colorectal, and now more data indicates stomach cancer patients may benefit from HIPEC, Dr. Floyd says.

"Additionally with more data, pancreatic cancer is being looked at as well. Even patients with breast cancer. Another cancer that benefits from HIPEC is peritoneal mesothelioma." 

HIPEC can be a viable treatment option at any stage, Dr. Floyd says. But as some people are diagnosed with later stage disease, it can feel like no options are possible. HIPEC changes that.

"It's beneficial to have the option of doing HIPEC, or cytoreductive surgeries, for patients who have peritoneal spread of disease, which for most cancers means it is a stage 4 disease," Dr. Floyd says. "In a lot of instances, if you're talking about stage 4 disease, there aren't a lot of other options."

While HIPEC is a viable option for low-grade cancers, it's also a helpful option for later stage, more aggressive cancers. Patients with signet ring or goblet cell features, which are more aggressive subtypes, can also be treated with HIPEC. 

"Signet ring is one of the subtypes of appendiceal, colon or rectal that can be treated. There are even some subtypes of gastric or stomach cancer that are considered a signet ring or have signet ring features," Dr. Floyd says. "Cytoreductive and HIPEC can be considered for those patients."

Throughout a cancer journey, combining traditional chemotherapy that is administered through IV with HIPEC provides a "synergistic effect" Dr. Floyd says. HIPEC allows the chemotherapy to be administered directly to the cancer cells and kill them that way. 

Dr. Floyd has done one HIPEC at OSF Saint Francis so far and has another planned soon. It's anticipated that within the next year, Dr. Floyd and her team will start to do three to four HIPEC surgeries a month as OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute continues to grow as a destination center.

Patient recovery times can be one to two weeks in the hospital after HIPEC surgery, which is why having this option for Central Illinois patients is so important. It allows the patient and their families to stay close to home, instead of having to travel hours away. Dr. Floyd says the longer travel times can turn patients and their families away from pursuing care. 

Heated chemotherapy can also be used in thoracic cavities. This would then be called HITEC or HITOC, Heated IntraThoracic Chemotherapy. This is for patients who have disease spreading in the pulmonary area. 

Types of cancers that can be treated by HIPEC: 

-          LAMN (Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm)

-          Appendiceal

-          Colon

-          Rectal

-          Gastric

-          Stomach

-          Pancreatic

-          Breast

-          Mesothelioma

-          Ovarian

For more information on cancer treatment options at OSF, visit the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute website.

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Innovative Technologies at the Forefront

Leading-edge cancer treatments like proton beam therapy, brachytherapy, genetic counseling and dietetics are all offered within the OSF Cancer Institute, providing patients with a one-stop-shop during their cancer journey.  

Proton therapy

Proton therapy was first offered on April 1, 2024.

"Proton therapy lets us offer radiation therapy to patients that maybe wouldn't have been able to tolerate side effects due to tumor location, or factors such as prior radiation treatment to the same area," says Tom Cox, the vice president of operations at OSF Cancer Institute. " This is possible because protons stop after passing through a tumor, eliminating the radiation effects on tissue often treated incidentally to photon (X-ray) therapy. The OSF Cancer Institute is on track to have treated 180 patients by April 1, 2025 – which far exceeded the original first-year target of 130 patients.

Brachytherapy

The brachytherapy suite offers a more patient-friendly way for mostly prostate and gynecological (cervical, endometrial) cancer patients to receive treatment. This option involves placement of applicators or needles directly into tumors so that very controlled, effective radiation can be delivered in discrete volumes. Since the radiation is delivered from within the tumor, there is a dramatic reduction of the dose to normal tissue, even those near the tumor itself. The dose is delivered with high-dose rate techniques so the therapy is delivered in just a few minutes time.

"Being able to bring the introduction of the applicators into the body, the treatment planning CT and the treatment all in one room, has created a much better experience. We're having some really good outcomes there, and we think we can expand what we're able to do there,” Cox says.

Intuitive Ion robot 

The OSF Cancer Institute’s pulmonology team offers state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and treatments, including minimally invasive, robotic surgeries and robotic assistive bronchoscopy. This includes the Intuitive Ion Robot, which allows care teams to get early answers and advance care for lung cancer patients.

"We're going to leverage the ability of an ion robot in the interventional pulmonary lab to really upend how we do the front end of lung cancer care," Cox says. "That robot is going to enable us to biopsy smaller lesions. It has fewer side effects than when you're getting a lung biopsy that's CT-guided. You can also do a staged EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) exam, so you can diagnosis and stage at the same time."

Rachael Davis, MD, a pulmonologist at OSF Cancer Institute, and her team have been using the ion robot weekly. Dr. Davis and her team are training more providers, and by this summer they’re expecting to quadruple – or more – how often it’s used. 

HIPEC procedures

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgeries are now offered at the OSF Cancer Institute. Tamara Floyd, MD, a surgical oncologist with OSF performs the open surgery and removes tumors from the abdomen. In the HIPEC procedure, heated chemotherapy is circulated through the body for a period of time. The first case went extremely well, and Dr. Floyd is planning her second case for mid-March. 

In addition to treatment options, the OSF Cancer Institute is increasing cancer supportive services in the Peoria region as well.

• Cancer navigation - 13% increase (Specially trained OSF Mission Partners walking you through the process of cancer care) 
• Dietetics - 64% increase
• Palliative medicine - 213% increase (Helps control symptoms, augments treatment from physicians) 
• Genetic counseling - 20% increase

Nutrition journey during cancer

Part of the dietary benefits OSF Cancer Institute offers is in the CEFCU Teaching Kitchen. Oncology dietitians work with patients on recipes to cook and are there with them step-by-step during their cancer journeys. Cox says 50% of people who come in for cancer treatment have dietary risks, while 80% of those people suffer malnutrition during treatment. Having a trained, professional dietary team walking alongside you helps fight those negative complications.

OSF Cancer Institute Culture

Cox credits the Institute’s first-year success to the culture of those who work there. The goal, he says, is to offer cancer support services across the entire spectrum of life. 

"The Mission Partners that work in this building have completely bought in to the idea that we all are advocates for cancer patients. We're always asking patients what they need, to see if we can help them," Cox says. "If we hear there's an issue with travel, or they're having trouble keeping food down, or if their children are not coping very well (with a loved one's cancer diagnosis), we know there are resources in the building, and we try very hard to line up those resources. You can feel it when you walk through the building."

Support services after cancer treatment 

"We can get you with a nurse, an exercise specialist and a dietitian to get back to your best life after cancer. Maybe you like to run a lot and ran half marathons, and you think you'll never be able to do it again. We have rehab and exercise specialists here and nutritionists. Who says you can't do that again? We're going to work with you to see you can get to the life after cancer you want to get to,” Cox says.

Services and medical professionals continue to grow

Building off the first year of OSF Cancer Institute, the administrative team continues to hire world-class medical professionals to offer cancer care in Peoria. A breast surgeon was recently brought onto the team, and a colorectal surgeon will be starting soon.

Additionally, the fourth floor of the building will be built out soon. Cox says this will give much-needed space for the surgical oncology and medical research teams. Research-focused medical oncologists are currently being recruited as well.

Leaving OSF Cancer Institute healthier, and more aware

Patients who leave OSF Cancer Institute don't just leave the building as healthier people; their awareness continues and will benefit other people. Cox admits a cancer diagnosis is not an easy thing to go through, and that the support from the OSF care team doesn’t stop when you walk out the door.

Grateful for community support

Cox says he’s been humbled throughout the years of working in oncology by the incredible commitment of the community and region to the OSF Cancer Institute.

"It is overwhelming to me, the philanthropic spirit of our community and extended community," Cox says. "I take that as, they've made a big commitment to us, and we're making a big commitment back. We're going to bring things to central Illinois that have not been here before. We are going to support you and your family members throughout your life and keep you as healthy, relative to cancer, as we possibly can."

Looking to the future

Cox says the OSF Cancer Institute is looking to bring more pediatric cancer support services to the building, the work collaboratively alongside the adult services.

The team is creating both a lung lesion clinic and a lung multidisciplinary clinic, which aims to reduce the time from finding a cancerous lesion to treatment. The lesion clinic is expected to open in late spring.

The OSF Cancer Institute intake team has been created with oncology nurses who will answer patients’ questions on the very same day, to see if services are right for you.

Cox adds that OSF is planning to put together an early detection hotline as a resource for the community to know if or when they should be screened for cancer.

To learn more about the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, visit its website to view the services offered and find contact information to get connected.

Video Interview Clips

Country star Toby Keith had died after a 2 ½-year battle with stomach cancer. 

Keith shocked fans with the news that he had been diagnosed in the fall of 2021. The 62-year-old Keith revealed that he spent six months undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments and had to cancel all of his concert dates before going public with his diagnosis.

There are about 26,000 cases that occur in the United States a year including 11,000 deaths. Stomach cancer accounts for about 1.5% of all cancers.

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is the growth of cancer cells in the lining and wall of the stomach. While breast, colon and prostate cancers tend to get more media attention, stomach cancer is nothing to ignore. 

The symptoms aren’t always easily identified. Feeling bloated after eating, heartburn, upper abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss are just some signs of a potential problem.

“Unfortunately, with stomach cancer, you don't see symptoms when it's early,” says Katie Nagel, an oncology nurse navigator for OSF HealthCare. “But as it starts to progress, you might see some symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, you feel full quicker than you usually do, fatigue. You might notice blood in your stool. It's important to know that most of the time those don't mean cancer, but it's important to let your doctor know if those persist.”

Risk factors for stomach cancer include:

• Age - most people are diagnosed with stomach cancer in their late 60s or older
• Sex – stomach cancer is more common in men than women
• Obesity – being overweight may increase the risk of stomach cancer
• Race – stomach cancer is more common in Hispanics, African Americans and Asians

“A lot of risk factors are ones that we can control,” says Nagel. “That includes smoking tobacco, heavy alcohol consumption, which is three or more drinks every day. And then a diet high in sodium and a diet high in processed meats. Obesity in general, puts you at higher risk.”

 If you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks, Nagel stresses the importance of making an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible.

“Just pay attention to your body,” she says. “Don't talk yourself out of letting your doctor know if you've noticed a lingering symptom or even anything that might seem small, but that might be the very early start of something that's going to get bigger. Everything is more treatable  the earlier we catch it, so just listen to your body and talk to your doctor.”

While there isn’t screening for stomach cancer like there is for colon and breast cancer, Nagel says there are things you can do, including diet modification, exercise and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.

The good news is incidence rates of stomach cancer have dropped about 1.5% every year in the last decade in the U.S. 

Advances in the treatment of stomach cancer, which include chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery, have made an impact as well.

And celebrities like Toby Keith sharing their story can only help when it comes to awareness of this disease.

“That is also drawing awareness to the issue, and I think makes people feel less alone," says Nagel. "I'm not the only person in the world that has this, other people are going through something similar and makes you feel a little bit better, a little less alone.”

For more information on stomach cancer, visit OSF HealthCare.

 

Interview Clips 

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Feeling bloated today? You’re not alone.

It’s not uncommon to get the sensation caused by gas, air or fluid retention in the stomach or small intestine. But what’s important to know: bloating has many causes, says Aminat Ogun, MD, an OSF HealthCare family medicine physician. So don’t let it linger and hope it will go away. If symptoms persist, see a health care provider so they can rule out something more serious and give proper treatment.

“It might feel like your stomach is full, swollen or sometimes tender. It can cause some discomfort,” Dr. Ogun says.

Causes for bloating include:

• The body makes too much gas.
   
• An overgrowth of intestinal bacteria. H. pylori is a common type. Dr. Ogun says it causes chronic inflammation in the stomach lining, and it can lead to peptic ulcers or even stomach cancer if untreated.
   
• Diet issues, like intolerance of certain carbohydrates or a gluten intolerance.
   
• Hormone changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
   
• Abnormal gastrointestinal motility. Simply put, this is when your gut is not working properly. Dr. Ogun says one example is gastroparesis.

              “The body takes its time before its able to pass food from the stomach to the small intestine,” she explains.

• Stress, anxiety and depression.

Dr. Ogun points out that we can’t control some of those causes, but others we can. She says a typical first step for a person with bloating is to change their diet. She says doctors may recommend a diet with a long name: fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. But just remember the abbreviation: FODMAP. It describes carbohydrates that are difficult for the body to break down.

Foods to avoid on the FODMAP diet: pasta, cereal, bread, yogurt, ice cream, apples, cherries and peaches. Alternatives include quinoa, brown rice, eggs, cheese, grapes, strawberries, chamomile tea, peppermint tea and ginger tea.

“Have a food diary,” Dr. Ogun suggests. “See what triggers your bloating symptoms and see if you can eliminate those foods.”

People with bloating may also take medicine like Gas-X. If you have intestinal bacteria, you’ll be on antibiotic medication.

Dr. Ogun adds for people age 55 and up, bloating is less common, and other health issues are, simply due to older age. So, if you are of that age and have sudden bloating symptoms, see a provider to find out if your symptoms are bloating or something more serious. And for all ages, if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or unintentional weight loss, stop by a doctor’s office.

Interview clips

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