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Should sugar be eliminated from diet in a cancer patient?
Cancer | Last Active: Mar 5 9:56am | Replies (49)Comment receiving replies
I have also heard that cancer likes sugar, I was told this before having a PET scan.. you’re given something to drink before the scan and it’s basically a sugary concoction and if you have cancer in your body it will light up on the scan. I have a very big sweet tooth and it’s tough because depression can give you sweet cravings so it’s a vicious cycle for me.
Replies to "I have also heard that cancer likes sugar, I was told this before having a PET..."
Hi. The solution is to scale back on sugar and have other treats available as an alternative (a handful of nuts, a few raisins, popcorn etc. Gradually you will be able to wean yourself off the habit. If you fail off the wagon vow to make better choices tomorrow. Eventually your taste buds will change and you will actually find foods with excess sugar to be cloying. If you are going to indulge make sure it’s a high quality food—not just junk and do so with intention —as a once in a week treat or for a special occasion. Reward yourself with other things you like for staying on a better eating plan. When shopping go to the perimeter of the store where the healthy choices are located. I find that if I can overcome the impulse to put the sugary treats in the cart I am not tempted as I have nothing to pull off my shelves at home. If I really want something I will have to make it from scratch at home. Sometimes I do but most times that’s more of a commitment than I care to make for what I get in return.
While you are transitioning away from sugar be kind to yourself. Actually, always be kind to yourself.
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There are many myths that circulate about sugar and cancer. It's important to get the facts. This article by Mayo Clinic experts helps debunk common myths, including the facts about PET scans and the use of radioactive tracer — typically a form of glucose.
- Cancer causes: Popular myths about the causes of cancer https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-causes/art-20044714
EXCERPT
"Myth: People who have cancer shouldn't eat sugar, since it can cause cancer to grow faster.
Fact: More research is needed to understand the relationship between sugar in the diet and cancer. All kinds of cells, including cancer cells, depend on blood sugar (glucose) for energy. But giving more sugar to cancer cells doesn't make them grow faster. Likewise, depriving cancer cells of sugar doesn't make them grow more slowly.
This misconception may be based in part on a misunderstanding of positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which use a small amount of radioactive tracer — typically a form of glucose. All tissues in your body absorb some of this tracer, but tissues that are using more energy — including cancer cells — absorb greater amounts. For this reason, some people have concluded that cancer cells grow faster on sugar. But this isn't true.
There is some evidence that consuming large amounts of sugar is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including esophageal cancer. Eating too much sugar can also lead to weight gain and increase the risk of obesity and diabetes, which may increase the risk of cancer."