BBC NEWS Giving up smoking is a good idea if you want to avoid cancer. But is it worth giving up anything else?
In the past few weeks alone we have been warned of the potentially carcinogenic qualities of coffee, alcohol, red meat and bacon.
The latest dietary 'bad boy' under the spotlight is fried food - apparently a risk for ovarian and womb cancer.
The media keeps us supplied us with a steady stream of these stories.
But among some specialist journalists there is a growing scepticism.
Michael Hanlon, the Daily Mail's science editor, said he has no intention of giving up any of the foods identified as risky - despite the fact that his own newspaper has carried plenty cancer warnings over the years.
On Radio 4's numbers programme More or Less, he challenged cancer expert Professor David Shuker to tell him how many months or years he might add to his life by following the World Cancer Research Fund's recent advice to limit red meat intake and avoid processed meats altogether.
"There are a few years to be gained by following this advice," according to Professor Shuker, an adviser to the WCRF expert panel member.
"But we cannot predict at the level of individuals what the benefit will be. We can only advise individuals how to join the group that has a lower risk."
It seems to be personal thing, do we stop eating red meat, processed meat, and anything else that is “bad” for us, and live on fruit and vegetables like a animal, or do we use the brain we have eat what we like and forfeit a couple of years at the end of our lives. With the knowledge that at least we have enjoyed ourselves?
I know which choice I would make.
“The first law of dietetics seems to be if it tastes good, it’s bad for you.” Isaac Asimov
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
Angus Dei politico
In the past few weeks alone we have been warned of the potentially carcinogenic qualities of coffee, alcohol, red meat and bacon.
The latest dietary 'bad boy' under the spotlight is fried food - apparently a risk for ovarian and womb cancer.
The media keeps us supplied us with a steady stream of these stories.
But among some specialist journalists there is a growing scepticism.
Michael Hanlon, the Daily Mail's science editor, said he has no intention of giving up any of the foods identified as risky - despite the fact that his own newspaper has carried plenty cancer warnings over the years.
On Radio 4's numbers programme More or Less, he challenged cancer expert Professor David Shuker to tell him how many months or years he might add to his life by following the World Cancer Research Fund's recent advice to limit red meat intake and avoid processed meats altogether.
"There are a few years to be gained by following this advice," according to Professor Shuker, an adviser to the WCRF expert panel member.
"But we cannot predict at the level of individuals what the benefit will be. We can only advise individuals how to join the group that has a lower risk."
It seems to be personal thing, do we stop eating red meat, processed meat, and anything else that is “bad” for us, and live on fruit and vegetables like a animal, or do we use the brain we have eat what we like and forfeit a couple of years at the end of our lives. With the knowledge that at least we have enjoyed ourselves?
I know which choice I would make.
“The first law of dietetics seems to be if it tastes good, it’s bad for you.” Isaac Asimov
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
Angus Dei politico
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