|
||||||||
|
||||||||
New Report: Lifestyle Linked to Cancer
The Cancer Council SA says a new international report has found convincing evidence linking weight gain, alcohol consumption and eating processed meats to an increased risk of cancer.
The study undertaken by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) reviewed 7,000 of the world’s most reputable cancer research studies from the past 45 years which have investigated the link between cancer and diet, physical activity and weight.
It found convincing evidentiary links between body fat and cancer, alcohol consumption and cancer and eating processed meats and cancer.
The report’s authors estimate that between 30 and 40 per cent of cancers are preventable by appropriate food nutrition, regular physical activity and avoiding obesity.
The number of cancer types linked to body fat had risen from one to six since the last WCRF report in 1997, and includes colorectal cancer and post-menopausal breast cancer.
The Cancer Council SA chief executive Associate Professor Brenda Wilson said with Australia experiencing a significant increase in the number of overweight people, particularly children, the rates of cancer were likely to rise significantly.
“The report also identified that you don’t necessarily need to be obese to increase your risk of developing cancer,” she said. “The evidence is showing that putting on weight can increase the risk as well.
“We encourage slim people to maintain their body weight and those that are overweight to take measures to lose that weight.”
Associate Professor Brenda Wilson said the report also highlighted evidence that processed meats increased the risk of colorectal cancer.
“We advise people to avoid or limit eating processed meats and to eat moderate amounts of red meat,” she said.
“This report highlights that individuals can make many lifestyle choices to significantly reduce their risk of developing many types of cancers.”
Other findings in the report include:
o There is “convincing” evidence that processed meats, including ham and bacon, increase the risk of
colorectal cancer.
o The evidence that red meat is a cause of colorectal cancer is stronger than ever before. People should
not eat any more than 500g of red meat a week.
o This figure is for cooked meat, and is the equivalent of between 700 and 750g of non-cooked meat.
o In one of the first times a cancer report has made a breastfeeding recommendation, mothers are advised
to breastfeed exclusively for six months and to continue with complementary breastfeeding after that.
This is because of “convincing” evidence that breastfeeding protects the mother against breast cancer
and “probable” evidence that it protects the child against obesity later in life.
o Dietary supplements are not recommended for cancer prevention.
o The evidence that alcohol is a cause of cancer is stronger now than ever before.
o An increase in body weight is linked to an increased risk of developing endometrial, post-menopausal
breast, kidney, colorectal, oesophageal and pancreatic cancer
Summary of the World Cancer Research Fund Report http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/downloads/chapters/prelims.pdf Full World Cancer Research Fund Report
http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/?p=ER  Top |
||||||||
