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Be thin to cut cancer, study says Be thin to cut cancer, study says
(31 minutes later)
Even those who are not overweight should slim down if they want to cut their risk of cancer, a major international study has claimed.Even those who are not overweight should slim down if they want to cut their risk of cancer, a major international study has claimed.
The World Cancer Research Fund carried out the largest ever inquiry into lifestyle and cancer, and issued several stark recommendations.The World Cancer Research Fund carried out the largest ever inquiry into lifestyle and cancer, and issued several stark recommendations.
They include not gaining weight as an adult, avoiding sugary drinks and alcohol, and not eating bacon or ham.They include not gaining weight as an adult, avoiding sugary drinks and alcohol, and not eating bacon or ham.
Everyone must also aim to be as thin as possible without becoming underweight.Everyone must also aim to be as thin as possible without becoming underweight.
People with a Body Mass Index (BMI), a calculation which takes into account height and weight, of between 18.5 and 25, are deemed to be within a "healthy" weight range.People with a Body Mass Index (BMI), a calculation which takes into account height and weight, of between 18.5 and 25, are deemed to be within a "healthy" weight range.
Cancer is not a fate, it is a matter of risk, and you can adjust those risks by how you behave. It is very important that people feel that they are in control of what they do Professor Martin WisemanReport author Calculate your BMICancer is not a fate, it is a matter of risk, and you can adjust those risks by how you behave. It is very important that people feel that they are in control of what they do Professor Martin WisemanReport author Calculate your BMI
But the study says their risk increases as they head towards the 25 mark, and that everyone should try to be as close to the lower end as possible.But the study says their risk increases as they head towards the 25 mark, and that everyone should try to be as close to the lower end as possible.
There is no new research involved in this document: the panel examined 7,000 existing studies over five years.There is no new research involved in this document: the panel examined 7,000 existing studies over five years.
The result, they say, is the most comprehensive investigation ever into the risks of certain lifestyle choices.The result, they say, is the most comprehensive investigation ever into the risks of certain lifestyle choices.
RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE: Limit red meatLimit alcoholAvoid bacon, ham, and other processed meatsNo sugary drinksNo weight gain after 21Exercise every dayBreastfeed childrenDo not take dietary supplements to cut cancerRECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE: Limit red meatLimit alcoholAvoid bacon, ham, and other processed meatsNo sugary drinksNo weight gain after 21Exercise every dayBreastfeed childrenDo not take dietary supplements to cut cancer
They see body fat as a key factor in the development of cancer, estimating its significance to be much higher than previously thought.They see body fat as a key factor in the development of cancer, estimating its significance to be much higher than previously thought.
The report's authors say they have produced a list of recommendations, not "commandments".The report's authors say they have produced a list of recommendations, not "commandments".
"But if people are interested in reducing their cancer risk, then following the recommendations is the way to do it," said Professor Martin Wiseman."But if people are interested in reducing their cancer risk, then following the recommendations is the way to do it," said Professor Martin Wiseman.
"Cancer is not a fate, it is a matter of risk, and you can adjust those risks by how you behave. It is very important that people feel that they are in control of what they do.""Cancer is not a fate, it is a matter of risk, and you can adjust those risks by how you behave. It is very important that people feel that they are in control of what they do."
Making cutsMaking cuts
However two thirds of cancer cases are not thought to be related to lifestyle, and there is little people can do to prevent the disease in these circumstances. However, two-thirds of cancer cases are not thought to be related to lifestyle, and there is little people can do to prevent the disease in these circumstances.
Nevertheless, over 3 million cases of the 10 million cases of cancer which are diagnosed across the world each year could be prevented if the recommendations were followed, Professor Wiseman indicated. Nevertheless, more than three million of the 10 million cases of cancer which are diagnosed across the world each year could be prevented if the recommendations were followed, Professor Wiseman indicated.
The main message I would have is not to worry about it, to enjoy life, if you like a glass of wine have it, and a small amount of meat is not going to harm you Karol SikoraCancer specialist In the UK alone, there are 200,000 new cases of cancer each year.The main message I would have is not to worry about it, to enjoy life, if you like a glass of wine have it, and a small amount of meat is not going to harm you Karol SikoraCancer specialist In the UK alone, there are 200,000 new cases of cancer each year.
Cancers of the colon and breast are some of the most common forms of the disease, and the report says the evidence is "convincing" that body fat plays a key role in the development of these tumours.Cancers of the colon and breast are some of the most common forms of the disease, and the report says the evidence is "convincing" that body fat plays a key role in the development of these tumours.
The report also links the kind of food consumed to cancers, especially colorectal ones.The report also links the kind of food consumed to cancers, especially colorectal ones.
In particular, researchers say people should stop eating processed meats, such as ham, bacon and salami, and limit the consumption of red meat to 500g a week - although this still means you could eat for instance five hamburgers each week.In particular, researchers say people should stop eating processed meats, such as ham, bacon and salami, and limit the consumption of red meat to 500g a week - although this still means you could eat for instance five hamburgers each week.
From a cancer perspective, all alcohol should be avoided, although researchers accepted drinking small amounts could have protective benefits for other diseases.From a cancer perspective, all alcohol should be avoided, although researchers accepted drinking small amounts could have protective benefits for other diseases.
The recommendation is therefore no more than two drinks a day for a man, and no more than one for a woman, slightly less than current UK government guidelines.The recommendation is therefore no more than two drinks a day for a man, and no more than one for a woman, slightly less than current UK government guidelines.
Sugary drinks meanwhile should be avoided, as these make you fat, and fruit juice consumption should also be reduced.Sugary drinks meanwhile should be avoided, as these make you fat, and fruit juice consumption should also be reduced.
The report is also the first to urge breastfeeding as a means to protect against cancer, arguing that it may reduce breast cancer in the mother and prevent obesity in the child - although this has not been proven.The report is also the first to urge breastfeeding as a means to protect against cancer, arguing that it may reduce breast cancer in the mother and prevent obesity in the child - although this has not been proven.
Commenting ahead of the report's release, cancer specialist Professor Karol Sikora said: "There's absolutely nothing magic about 10 bullet points to prevent cancer.Commenting ahead of the report's release, cancer specialist Professor Karol Sikora said: "There's absolutely nothing magic about 10 bullet points to prevent cancer.
"The main message I would have is not to worry about it, to enjoy life, if you like a glass of wine have it, and a small amount of meat is not going to harm you.""The main message I would have is not to worry about it, to enjoy life, if you like a glass of wine have it, and a small amount of meat is not going to harm you."