CALGARY - A new report suggesting many cancers can be avoided by cutting down on red meat, alcohol and processed foods might not be easy to swallow in some parts of the country -- especially in Calgary, the epicentre of Canada's cowboy, chophouse and barbecue culture.
"Eating habits can take years to form so some of the behaviours that this report is recommending -- like eating a little less red meat and eating more vegetables and fruit -- may be a little harder for some Albertans," Annette Li, nutrition co-ordinator at the Alberta Cancer Board, said Thursday.
"But hopefully it will be a long-term behaviour change and not an overnight, sort of New Year's resolution-type of behaviour, because it is the long-term benefits that we're looking for."
from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund which analyzed more than 7,000 studies worldwide, says controllable lifestyle factors like diet, weight and physical activity play a huge role in preventing about one-third of cancers.
"There are things that people can do to reduce their risk of cancer," said Li. "It's not one of those inevitable futures that some people may think it is -- that they're destined to have cancer."
But it won't come without sacrifice. Especially for those who say lunch is best served with an extra large tub of Coke and a couple hot dogs.
Processed meats, sugary drinks and fast foods should simply be avoided. Alcohol and salt should be limited and red meat intake reduced to about 500 grams per week.
Li says most of the recommendations will align with Health Canada guidelines that are already in place. And that includes goals most of us have heard constantly from doctors over the years, including maintaining a healthy body weight, striving for a balanced diet high in plant-based foods and remaining physically active.
But it's important to note that if you think the suggestions are pooh-poohing some of the more enjoyable culinary treats in life, nobody's saying you need to totally turn your back on that top sirloin and glass of merlot.
"The recommendations just say to limit -- it doesn't say eliminate it. So we can still have our red meat, it just depends on the amount."
The Public Health Agency of Canada said Thursday that the report was so new and comprehensive that it will take time to identify areas where more work is needed to help increase the health of Canadians.
"At very first glance, we see similarities between the report and some of our current recommendations at the agency," said Marie DesMeules, acting director of risk assessment at the agency.
In order to combat other types of chronic disease like diabetes and heart disease, Canada's health department already suggests that we do between 30 minutes and one hour of moderate activity daily.
"We have to remember that obesity and physical activity isn't a brand-new story. We know these factors are important for health in the Canadian population," said DesMeules.
But she said the direct correlation with cancer "wasn't obvious 10 years ago when the first reports came out."
The report suggested that excess body fat was a prime contributor to a number of malignancies, including cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, colon, kidney and uterus, as well as breast cancer in post-menopausal women.
But DesMeules said the key was to combine healthy eating with a more physically active lifestyle.
"We're continuing to find new knowledge, but the evidence does point to moderation."