4. BMI Scale
A weight that is greater than what is
considered healthy for a given height
BMI scale BMI
Overweight 25-29.9
Obese >30-34.9
Obese, severe 35-39.9
Obese, morbidity >40
5. Cancers Associated with Obesity
Breast Colon Rectum
Stomach Esophagus Kidney
Thyroid Pancreas Prostate
Gallbladder
6. So What’s the Relationship?
Fat tissue produces excess estrogen
Higher insulin levels/insulin-like growth factor-1
Fat cells produce adiposkines
Chronic low level inflammation
Maybe related to food types
7. 3 Phases of Nutrition
Prevention
Treatment
Survivorship
8. Treatment Goals
Prevent or resolve nutrition deficiencies
Weight maintenance
Preserve lean body mass
Minimize nutrition-related side effects
Maximize quality of life
10. Nutrition Impact Systems
Fatigue Constipation Anorexia
Xerostomia Nausea Emesis
Gas/bloating Reflux SOB
Diarrhea Early Satiety Smell bother
TasteAlteration Mucositis Dysphagia
Weight Loss Weakness
11. Common Nutrition Questions
Can I drink alcohol during treatment?
1. RDs will discourage and defer
2. Alcohol may impair drug breakdown
3. Increase side effects
4. Sore mouth
12. Supplements & Vitamins
Typically discouraged unless ordered
Defer to Oncologist
Encouraged whole foods with color
13. Does Sugar Feed Cancer?
Recommendation is to avoid added sugars
Avoid spikes in insulin levels
Excess insulin = cell growth
14. Soy & Flaxseed
If soy was a staple in your diet-continue to eat it-
if not, don’t start per the AICR
A few servings per week as part of a plant based
diet
Flaxseed: 2 small studies favorable for breast and
prostate cancer.
Flaxseed is a great “FLAXative”
15. Red Meat
Many organizations support a reduction or
avoidance of red and processed meats
Links: Colorectal, Prostate, Stomach, Breast,
Ovarian and Lung
High temp cooking / grilling higher fat meats
and the production of amines
Heme iron may produce compounds damage
cells
Nitrites
Sugar Neu5Gc
16. World Cancer Research Fund and
AICR
‘The association between consumption of red and
processed meats and cancer, particularly
colorectal cancer is very consistent’
‘red or processed meats are convincing or
probable source s of some cancers’
17. Survivorship and Nutrition
AICR Recommendations for Cancer Prevention
1. Become lean but not underweight
2. Physical activity 30 mins/day every day
3. Avoid simple sugars
4. Eat more vegs, fruits, whole grains, beans
5. Limit red and processed meats
6. Limit alcohol (2) men and (1) women
7. Limit salty and processed foods
8. Do not take supplements to prevent cancer
9. No smoking
18. Moving to the Next Level
Lifestyle changes
Weight Management
Nutrition
Activity
22. AICR Prevention
Diet with variety of vegetables, fruits, whole
grains, beans, low in red meat/processed meats
2/3 plate vegetables, fruits, whole grains
Nobody is perfect nor do we have to be
American Institute for Cancer Research/WorldCancer Fund (2007)
23. Red Meat
Link with colorectal cancer
NIH research
World Cancer Research Fund and AICR
‘red or processed meats are convincing or
probably sources of some cancers’
Research is limited but suggestive
• AIRC encouraging meatless meals or to use as
a condiment vs the main event
24. Alcohol
AICR recommends to abstain
Increases circulating estrogen levels
1 –Women 2- Men
Links
Breast Esophageal Pancreatic
Liver Colon Throat
Mouth Rectum
25. Salt and Supplements
Limit consumption of salty foods
Limit consumption of processed foods
Do not use supplements to protect against
cancer