Cancer and Diet

The good news and the bad news....

The Good News:

There is "convincing evidence" that breastfeeding protects the mother against breast cancer;

There is "probable evidence" that breastfeeding protects the child from obesity later in life;

Maintaining a healthy weight (a body mass index of 20-25) is one of the best ways of preventing cancer.

The Bad News:

High consumption of red meat and processed meat, including ham and bacon, is associated with a modest increased risk of colorectal cancer - consume processed meats sparingly;

Dietary supplements, including vitamins, are not recommended for cancer prevention;

Evidence that alcohol is a cause of cancer "stronger now than ever before".

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times