Do Indians have Extra Immunity Against Cancer?

chillibreeze writer — Neerja Bisht

Introduction

Our body’s immune system acts as a natural defense mechanism against pathogens that can invade the body and cause disease. This unique surveillance system is beleaguered when normal cells turn cancerous or malignant.

Multiple studies have established that ethnicity plays a significant role in the incidence of cancer. Certain cancers like prostate cancer is more common among African Americans as compared to men of other ethnic origins.1

In India, it is estimated that in a population of more than a billion individuals, about 2.5 million cases of cancer is prevalent at any given time.2 That might sound ominous, but that is actually not the case. When compared to western countries, the occurrence of cancers is lower.3

So, could Indians, with their inherent ethnicity and lifestyle habits have some kind of extra immunity against cancer?

Clinical Evidence

Ethnicity

Asian Indians have been included in various international studies as they are present amongst the populations of countries other than India. They often carry with them the practices of their mother country to their adopted ones. It comes as little surprise that Indians display an extra immunity against cancer even among multiracial populations. A retrospective analysis4 of mortality done in Canada among Canadians of European, South Asian and Chinese origin concluded that deaths due to cancer was least observed in the South Asian group.

Diet

Most Hindus in India practice vegetarianism. A diet rich in fibre and pulses (dals) has been associated with a comparatively lower incidence of cancer. Clinical research has indicated that the low incidence of oral, oesophageal and colonic cancers are directly related to the vegetarian diet of most Indians. The incidence of breast cancer and prostate cancer has also been observed to be lower in vegetarians when compared to non-vegetarians.

Turmeric has been used in Indian curries for thousands of years, which imparts a rich golden color to all Indian cuisines. The antiseptic properties of turmeric have been known for thousands of years. Recent studies have indicated that turmeric bestows tumour cells suppression and spread. (I didn't get what this sentence meant) This property has been demonstrated and proved in experimental models.

Other Indian spices that may contribute to extra immunity against cancer are the commonly used cumin seed, basil leaves and poppy seeds. The Kurchias, a tribal population in Kerala, consume a diet high in micronutrients and have a low prevalence of chronic diseases of ageing, including cancer.4

“Chai” or tea is a common drink in India. Antioxidants called catechins are found in it, which have been proven to provide an inhibitory action on cancer cells. This is more so with “green” tea than the other types available.5

Breast feeding practices

It is not uncommon to see an Indian woman breast feeding in rural India, though it is taboo in urban towns and cities. This does not mean, however, that the urban woman does not breast feed.

In the latest assessment carried out by the Government of India and NGOs, India scored an overall Grade C (a Grade above the lowest, Grade D) in a “trends” survey. However, India was rated a high of Grade A for median duration of breastfeeding (25.4 months).6

To the infant, there is little doubt that breast feeding confers immunity against childhood illnesses especially those caused by common bacteria and viruses. The immune response of the breast-fed baby is also significantly superior when compared to formula-fed infants, thereby enhancing their response to vaccines. Long term benefits to the growing child include better overall health and added protection against childhood cancers, breast cancer in pre-menopausal women, leukemias and lymphomas.7 An Indian study8 has reported that the duration as well as the quantity of milk during breast feeding may be the reason to provide a protective effect on childhood cancer.

To the mother, breastfeeding provides immunity against breast cancer, ovarian cancer and cancer of the endometrium. A large study9 was able to conclude that the risk of breast cancer was reduced by 4.3% in women who breast fed for a total of 12 months and the percentage increased in women who breast fed for longer periods of time. Another study10 established that breast feeding for a period of 18 or more months was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of ovarian cancer.

Genetic make-up

Indians have larger melanin content in the skin when compared to their Western counterparts. This brown color offers them protection from UV (ultraviolet) related sun damage as well as skin cancers.

Conclusion

The cultural traditions of Indians are rich in promoting overall good health. In particular, studies have emerged that these very practices also provide chemoprotection resulting in an inherent extra protection against the development of cancers among the Indian population.

1. DNA Variations Tied to Prostate Cancer Risk. Article date: 2007/04/23. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_
1_1x_DNA_Variations_Tied_to_Prostate_Cancer_Risk.asp. Accessed: 2 May 2007.

2. The Cancer Burden in India. American Cancer Society, Inc. 2007. Available at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/AA/content/AA_2_5_8x_India.asp?sitearea=AA. Accessed: 2 May 2007.

3. Sinha R, Anderson DE, McDonald SS, Greenwald P. Cancer Risk and Diet in India . J Postgrad Med 2003;49:222-228.

4. Sheth T, Nair C, Nargundkar M, Anand S, Yusuf S. Cardiovascular and cancer mortality among Canadians of European, south Asian and Chinese origin from 1979 to 1993: an analysis of 1.2 million deaths. CMAJ 1999 Jul 27;161(2):132-8.

5. Tea and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet
Available at : http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/tea. Accessed 2, May, 2007.

6. The State of the World’s Breastfeeding. India Report Card 2006. Available at: http://worldbreastfeedingtrends.org/reportcard/India.pdf. Accessed 2 May,2007

7. Wall G. Outcomes of breastfeeding.versus formula feeding. February 2006. Available at: http://www.evergreenperinataleducation.com
/Outcomes%20of%20breastfeeding%20Feb%202006.DOC. Accessed 2 May 2007.

8. Tripathy AK, Mishra L, Bakshi S, Arya LS. Breast feeding and childhood hematological malignancy. Indian J Pediatrics 2004 May;71(5):417-8.

9. Jernström H et al. Breast-feeding and the Risk of Breast Cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2004 96(14):1094-1098.

10. Danforth KN, Tworoger SS, Hecht JL, et al.Breastfeeding and risk of ovarian cancer in two prospective cohorts. Cancer Causes Control. 2007 Apr 21; [Epub ahead of print]

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