The organisation 'StandUp2Cancer' warns us about certain foods in the fight against cancer. I asked myself a few questions: Why less meat? What is transfat? ‘Highly’ refined sugars? Stress and cancer? I believe every word this fantastic organisation says - some of us are just a bit like 4year olds – ‘But WHY?’

THIS is why:
* RED MEAT
A culprit in colon (colorectal) cancer, the 3rd hightst fatality cancer.
Linked to lung, liver, pancreatic and oesophageal cancers.
Hormone-receptor positive breast cancer - growth hormone in cattle.
One beef patty a day is TOO MUCH. Nod-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is also linked.
The Problem: Iron, fat and high temperature cooking.
Red meat causes a higher risk of DNA damage in the lining of the
colon because of N-nitrosocompounds forming in the large bowel.
N-nitrosocompounds combines with DNA and alter, causing
mutations, increasing cancer development.
Tips: Eat less red meat.
3 ounces a day for men (one beef patty) - TOO MUCH.
2 ounces a day for women.
Up on natural fibre - fruit and veggies.
Loose weight. Obesity is a big mate of cancer - get active!
Bake, broil or poach your meat.

* REFINED SUGARS
Found to play a role in cancers of – breast, ovaries, rectum, biliary tract, lung, prostate,stomach and gallbladder.
Woman with high glycemic loads tend to be more at risk to get colon cancer.
Dr Warburg received a Nobel Prize in 1931 for discovering that cancer cells require sugar for growth!!
Cancer cells consume 5x more glucose than normal cells, thus multiplying more rapidly.
Refined sugars are converted by the liver into fat, because sugars are non-nutritive.
By raising insulin levels, growth hormones get inhibited, halting your immune system - thus more susceptible to disease.
Glucose and Vitamin C has similar chemical structures and compete when entering cells. The one you consume more of, WINS.
Larger tumours tend to have more acidic pH- a processs formed by sugar.
Avoid: Cereals, bread, ketchup, microwavable meals,alcohol,
peanut butter, mayonnaise, spaghetti sauces, fruit juices,
soft drinks.
Tips: Fibre slows the ‘bad’ works of sugars:
- Leave skins on fruit/veg.
- Drink juices with pulp.
- Eat high fibre breads.
- Return your body to an aerobic metabolism (alkaline tissue pH).
Cancers don't thrive under these conditions.
- 6.4 – 7.0 is healthy
Up on your Vitamin C intake!!!
Conclusion: Lower blood glucose levels = greater survival.

* TRANS-FAT
This is the industrial hydrogenation process where liquid plant oils are turned into semi-solid spreads like margarine. The veggie oil undergo high heats with hydrogen gas rushing through it, in conjunction with a nickel catalyst. The hydrogen atoms then open up, converting unsaturated fats into saturated fats. Man made saturated fats are not identical to natural saturated fats, disrupting our cell membranes, forming holes in cell walls, thus allowing cancer causing chemicals in by damaging the cell nucleus.
Causes cancers like prostate cancer and postmenopausal breast cancer.
Avoid: Margarines, pies, crackers, doughnuts, deep frying oils,
rusks, croissants, biscuits and potato chips.
Labels saying: - ‘Low in saturated fats’
- ‘Low in cholesterol’
- ‘Cooked in vegetable oil’
- The above tells you NOTHING about trans-fat.
Packaged foods, meat and dairy.
Tips: Buy margarines with less than 2% trans-fat.
Use canola or olive oils.
Use olive oil as a lubricant on bread.
Softer margarines have less trans-fat.

* STRESS
Although research concerning this matter is inconsistent, it is believed that stress plays a role in the growth and spread of cancer. Stress cripples the immune system, allowing killer invaders to attack.
Stress affects certain tumour growth - the release of stress hormones can affect cancer cell functions directly.
When stressed, poor lifestyle habits kick in: Over eating, smoking, alcohol intake, lethargic behaviour.
Tips: You can’t control genetics, but you can control your attitude.
Join a support group.
Exercise!!!!

People may argue that not all research is conclusive. I say two things: ‘thumbs up to researchers!!!’ and -‘where there’s smoke……’