On the Occasion of World Cancer Day 2015; the Possibility of Cancer Prevention or Treatment with Antioxidants: The Ongoing Cancer Prevention Researches

Abstract

On February, 2014 World Cancer Day (WCD) was established to raise alertness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. In fact, WCD is celebrated every year on the 4th of February all over the world to commemorate all the accomplishments of the WHO. In this paper, we aimed to present the scientific evidence for the role of antioxidants in cancer. Damage to cells by reactive oxygen species, especially the damage to DNA, has been found to play a crucial role in the development of cancer. Exogenous antioxidants can prevent free radical damage associated with cancer development. However, whether or not taking dietary antioxidants can prevent or reduce the risk of developing cancer in humans is not clear. Some researchers have suggested that antioxidants counteract with drugs or toxins, which induce oxidative stress and hence prevent damage to cells or body organs.