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Will eating this cause cancer?
Diet is inextricably linked to both avoiding and fighting cancer. This is because it is something that can be controlled. But when faced with conflicting cancer-related diet information, how can one judge which is reliable? The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society has done a simple analysis for us. If you would like to know more, contact the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society - Jockey Club “Walking Hand-in-Hand “Cancer Family Support Project or their Facebook page.
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Rumour |
Current situation |
Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
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Warming up food in the microwave and eating leftovers cause cancer |
There is currently no proof that microwave cooking causes cancer Avoid eating leftovers as they may have less nutritional value |
Be careful, as microwaved food may overheat and burn your mouth and esophagus Note that various high-temperature cooking methods, such as barbecuing and deep frying, are known to be carcinogenic |
|
Eating soybean products can cause breast cancer |
Soybeans contain plant hormones that people think lead to cancer; however, studies have shown that the low rate of breast cancer among the Chinese is actually due to their tradition of eating soy products |
You don't need to stop eating soy. Drinking a glass of soy milk or eating a block of tofu every day is fine |
|
Eating chicken that has been fed hormones and antibiotics can cause breast cancer |
A high-fat diet can be carcinogenic, therefore chicken skin and its high content in underlying fat need special attention |
Don’t eat as many wings, wing-tips and other high-fat parts. Opt for a low-fat chicken breast instead Consider eating antibiotic-free and hormone-free chicken |
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Eating lots of beef is not recommended for patients |
In Chinese medicine, beef is a stimulating food and may cause tumors to grow. However, in the West, they believe that beef is rich in protein and easily absorbed during treatment |
Balance between East and West. Eat less beef or substitute with white meats and beans that are rich in protein |
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Bird’s nest can cause cancer cells to grow |
Bird’s nest contains Epidermal Growth Factor (EGFR) which makes the skin soft and radiant. Some cancers also have EGFR, and that’s where the confusion comes in |
Expensive medicines and supplements are not necessary It’s enough to follow a balanced diet that is low in salt, fat and sugar |
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To recover, you must take expensive medicine |
Expensive Chinese medicines such as Ganoderma or Trametes versicolor stimulate the body’s immune system, which can easily lead to allergic reactions According to clinical research, sustained use of medicines may damage the liver and make it impossible to continue chemotherapy |
With so much conflicting information, the most important thing you can do is to focus on the basics, such as avoiding smoking, drinking and obesity, as these are the main carcinogenic factors. Registered nurse Hailey Yuen from the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society - Jockey Club “Walking Hand-in-Hand “Cancer Family Support Project has some cancer-fighting food suggestions and methods for improving the diet of chemotherapy patients.
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