Source: The Herald Sun, Wednesday, November 18, 1998,
p.12 Source: The Herald Sun, Wednesday, November 18, 1998,
p.12
By HELEN CARTER, medical reporter A NEW diet plan to fight cancer aims to nearly halve a person's cancer risk. Sydney doctor Les Brown developed the computer program to promote healthy eating, which has been endorsed by the NSW Cancer Council. It is based on the American Institute of Cancer Research's eight most important recommendations for diet and cancer. Dr Brown said the in- stitute's reports showed that maintaining a heal- thy weight and exercis- ing could cut cancer risk by 30 to 40 per cent. And eating five serves of fruit and vegetables a day could reduce cancer risk by 20 per cent. Dr Brown, who trained as a general practitioner and is now a preventive health practitioner, said a balanced diet was as important as not smoking in preventing cancer. "Eating a balanced diet has been linked to the prevention of cancer," he said. "The World Cancer Research Fund, in as- sociation with the Amer- ican Institute for Cancer Research, published a report in 1997 entitled Food, Nutrition and Prevention of Cancer. It says that eating right, plus staying physi- cally active and main- taining a healthy weight, can reduce cancer risk by 30 to 40 per cent." Dr Brown said that apart from reducing the risks of cancer, other benefits from following the plan include reduced risks of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, and weight control. One in three men and one in four women in Australia will develop cancer. There are about 27,000 cancer diagnoses and 11,000 deaths a year. The Eat, Drink and be Healthy CD-ROM en- sures people fulfil the institute's eight rec- ommendations for diet and cancer. It also evaluates a per- son's diet against Aus- tralian dietary guidelines and suggests personal dietary modifications. It costs $49.95 and for each copy sold a $5 do- nation will go to the NSW Cancer Council. It is available by telephon- ing 1300 550 028.
Where to next?
Student Questions for this article
Teacher Discussion of this article
Index - Inference