Better eating 'will boost recovery' from cancer

A new study suggest that cancer patients need to improve their eating habits to help aid their recovery.

The results come from a survey of 35 Irish cancer survivors asked to complete a three-day food diary as well as provide their weight and height.

Researchers from the Department of Health and Nutritional Science at the Atlantic Technological University in Sligo investigated how their eating habits measured up against guidelines from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research.

They found the diet quality of the cancer survivors was low and had poor adherence to cancer prevention guidelines.

The cancer survivors were attending community-based cancer support centres and oncology rehabilitation programmes.

The majority were female, aged 50-59, overweight and had been diagnosed less than two years previously.

The most consumed food groups were vegetables and salad, fruit, milk and cream, potatoes, meat and meat products.

The most consumed drinks were water, black tea infusion, milk, tea with milk, and coffee with milk, the study in the Irish Medical Journal reported.

Guidelines from the cancer research bodies say everyone should eat at least 30g of fibre from food per day and should increase consumption of fruit.

The guidelines also suggest not resorting to using supplements, but instead rely on food for nutrition.

People should include foods containing whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, fruit and pulses such as beans and lentils in most terrier in Co Wexford late last year, also around the time multiple dog attacks on sheep were being reported.

In November, Alejandro Mizsan was playing near his home in Enniscorthy when he was attacked by a pit bull cross and left with life-changing injuries.

At the time, Martin said we need to “go back to the drawing board” on how to deal with regulation of dogs, stating that what had happened was “one time too many”.

Minister McConalogue, along with Minister for Rural A airs Heather Humphreys, established an interdepartmental working group which continues to examine issues such as nes for dog owners found in breach of the Control of Dogs ese include the recruitment of 40 additional dog wardens nationwide; increasing the ne under the Control of Dogs Act to €5,000 from €2,500; and improv- ing dog traceability and welfare through the creation of a single centralised database for dog microchips. e regulation around breeding, sale and supply of dogs should also be strengthened by creating a centralised national database for dog breeding establishments, the group says. e group will complete its report by summer. of their every day meals.

Act, enforcement at local level, microchipping, licences, breeding establishments and the sale of dogs.

As part of the review, the group’s interim report has 15 recommendations.

They should eat a diet high in all types of plant foods, including at least five portions or servings of a variety of non-starchy vegetables and fruit every day. If they eat starchy roots as staple foods, they should also regularly consume non-starchy vegetables, fruit and pulses.

The Irish patients scored lowest on increasing consumption of whole grains and fibre, and their fibre intake was particularly low.

They did best at not consuming sugar-sweetened drinks, but their sugar intake was still high. Intake of saturated fat was also high.

Diets that are low in fibre and rich in fat and sugar are more likely to cause weight gain.

Nearly half of the people in the study had seen their weight increase since cancer diagnosis, with most classified as overweight or obese.

Only 42.9% achieved the minimum daily goal of five servings of fruit and vegetables.

The average intake from added sugar was double the guideline of less than 10%.

Emphasising the importance of diet, the researchers said there was growing evidence that supporting optimal nutrition in cancer survivors had benefits. This ranges from relief of symptoms and treatment of related side-effects to improvements in quality of life and survival.

"There is a vital need for adequate nutrition support for cancer survivors particularly as they are at increased risk of developing secondary cancers,” they said.

Few people with cancer have access to a registered dietitian, which the authors said is an area that needs to be explored.