Cookies and Cancer

By Vera Viner

Have you heard of KFC’s “Buckets for the Cure” campaign partnering with the Susan G. Komen Foundation? That’s right; Komen decided to raise money for breast cancer research by feeding women cancer-causing fried chicken. These type of stunts make me sick. There are countless of other examples that Komen has pulled such as its“Promise Me” perfume filled with cancer-causing ingredients and its Pink handguns fiasco after threatening to pull funding from Planned Parenthood. However, today we will not be discussing Komen but another organization that seems to be just as misguided.

Sunday morning, I got up and decided to make crepes for breakfast. I was going to use whole wheat flour, milk, eggs, and throw in some fruits once it was all done. As I started cooking, lo and behold, I saw an advertisement on my bag of flour. The ad asked you to be a “bakesale hero” and join the nonprofit “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.” I almost had a heart attack! Selling cookies and baked goods to fund pediatric cancer research???

This is clearly another misguided organization that does not understand how cancer works.Science Daily reported that excessive amounts of sugar can cause cancer development. Sugar and obesity are also related, as the high amount of calories in sugary drinks and junk food can lead to excess weight. Obesity and an improper diet can lead to Diabetes and cancer. In fact, the diabetic population has twice as much risk of suffering from pancreatic or colon cancer.

Dr. Custodia Garcia-Jimenez and his team from the University Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid found that high amounts of sugar stimulates the activity of a gene that causes cancer progression. This research was published in the Molecular Cell journal.

“We were surprised to realize that changes in our metabolism caused by dietary sugar impact on our cancer risk,” Dr. Garcia-Jimenez told the source. “We are now investigating what other dietary components may influence our cancer risk. Changing diet is one of easiest prevention strategies that can potentially save a lot of suffering and money.”

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported that too much sugar can lead to weight gain, and being overweight puts a person at risk for cancer and other diseases. It is advised for women to have no more than six teaspoons of sugar per day, which includes natural sugars from fruit, milk, honey, and grains.

“Your body’s cells use sugar to keep your vital organs functioning,” said Clare McKindley, clinical dietitian at MD Anderson’s CancerPrevention Center. “But too much daily sugar can cause weight gain. And, unhealthy weight gain and a lack of exercise can increase your cancer risks.”

When it comes to children and preventing cancer, it is so important to reduce the amount of sugar kids get. For instance, soda and sugary beverages cause so many health problems for both children and adults. It’s imperative to follow a plant-based diet filled with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats like poultry. If you want to help the cancer cause, start by advocating the importance of a healthy diet.

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