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Link between sugar and cancer?

Page last modified on: September 29, 2008
Question from Rima: I am sugar-sensitive, eat some sugars and have read that cancer cells thrive on sugar. I'm concerned about cutting out sugar completely during chemo treatment, because it might stress my body too much. Is it more important to maintain my weight than improve my eating habits?
Answers —Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D.: I think the important thing to keep in mind is that sugar does not promote tumor growth. It does not feed the cancer cells per se. However, women who have elevated glucose, or more importantly elevated insulin levels, should work hard to reduce total energy intake, including sugars.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Nutritionists do get concerned about binge eating or eating several big meals rather than more frequent, smaller meals. When you bring in a lot of calories into your body at one time, it can put your digestive system under more stress. Growth factors in your bloodstream can increase. There is some concern that a higher level of these growth factors might stimulate growth of some type of cancer cells. This is being studied carefully.

On Wednesday, January 19, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Nutrition and Weight. Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D. and Marisa Weiss M.D. answered your questions about nutrition and weight.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D.Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D. is an associate professor in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona - with joint appointments in medicine and public health.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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