Penny Brohn Cancer Care

New healthy eating guidelines for cancer survivors released10/06/2009

Penny Brohn Cancer Care has launched a new set of guidelines called The Bristol Approach to Healthy Eating, designed specifically for people living with cancer and informed by the most up-to-date research evidence.

Based on the charity’s near 30 years of experience of working with people with cancer, The Bristol Approach to Healthy Eating gives practical advice for anyone living with the disease.

The guidelines show how a plant-based diet may support the health of those living with cancer. Highlighted foods include those that are high in compounds thought to inhibit the cancer process, and low in compounds that may undermine overall health.

A 2006 nutritional survey undertaken by Penny Brohn Cancer Care shows that 82 per cent of the survey’s respondents were not given any dietary advice by a member of their healthcare team when diagnosed. 61 per cent of respondents would have liked to have received such advice, and over a third (38 per cent) sought information about healthy eating outside of their healthcare team.

Liz Butler, Senior Nutritional Therapist at Penny Brohn Cancer Care, said: “There is a wealth of information on diet and cancer in books and on the web but much of it has little scientific basis. From our 2006 survey we know that people living with cancer are generally not receiving dietary guidance or being encouraged to adopt a healthy diet by their healthcare professionals. This can often lead to patients conducting their own investigations into nutrition and cancer and collecting information from sources of questionable quality.

“We have produced the Bristol Approach to Healthy Eating guidelines that are informed by the most up-to-date evidence, including studies that directly examine the effects of diet on the health of cancer survivors.

“The evidence showing that healthy eating can benefit those living with cancer has grown significantly in the last few years. We feel it is time that all cancer patients are offered healthy eating advice and that doctors regard this as an essential part of long-term care, as they already do for people with cardiovascular disease.

“There is no one diet that suits every person with cancer, but the basic healthy eating principles will always apply. Practical and informative guidelines such as these provide strong foundations which can be further adapted for those needing more specialist advice.”

The guidelines encourage people to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, together with other plant foods – whole grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices. It is recommended that people include moderate amounts of animal products, particularly unprocessed meat, fish and eggs. For some people, moderate amounts of dairy products may also be included. Foods containing refined sugar and processed fats such as crisps, cakes, biscuits, margarine, and ready meals should be cut down or avoided. The guidelines also encourage people to keep alcoholic drinks to a minimum.

Penny Brohn Cancer Care (formerly known as Bristol Cancer Help Centre) is the UK’s leading and oldest provider of complementary care for people with cancer. The charity has almost thirty years of experience of providing healthy eating advice to people living with cancer, delivered as part of a person-centred package of physical, emotional and spiritual support known as The Bristol Approach. The Bristol Approach works as a natural partner to medical treatment, and is delivered by the charity’s experienced team of doctors, nurses and complementary therapists.

The full guidelines are available to download in PDF format by clicking here.

- Ends