Role of Nutrition after Cancer to Receive Long-Overdue Scientific AttentionAmerican Institute for Cancer Research Cancer Experts, Cancer Survivors to Convene First-Ever National Conference on Diet and Survivorship  "Despite dramatic advances in the areas of cancer prevention and cancer treatment, many issues surrounding life after cancer have yet to receive serious scientific attention. That's something this conference will set out to change," said Steven Clinton, MD, PhD, an Associate Director of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of the researchers working with AICR to plan the conference. Specifically at issue for this conference is the lack of reliable research on how dietary and lifestyle behaviors can help cancer survivors remain healthy and disease-free. Because survivors find themselves deluged by health claims from supplement manufacturers and other sources, the conference will also aim to equip survivors with the tools they need to make informed choices. An estimated 8.5 million Americans are now living after cancer, a figure which is expected to rise rapidly with continued improvements in the screening, detection, and treatment of cancer in our aging population. Approximately one million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Over half can be expected to live disease-free for five or more years. AICR experts believe that the concerns of this growing community of survivors should be at the center of efforts to direct and encourage new research. For this reason, scientists engaged in cancer research are seeking to hear from cancer survivors and learn from their experiences and concerns. "The links between diet, lifestyle and cancer prevention are now widely appreciated," said Dr. Clinton. "Because of the ample and ever-growing body of research in that area, we have a very good idea of the kind of diet and lifestyle choices that can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer in the first place." In fact, AICR has drafted a series of six Diet and Health Guidelines for Cancer Prevention that outline these choices, which include consumption of a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, and maintenance of a healthy weight. "We assume that these same diet and lifestyle choices may also help reduce the chances of cancer coming back," Dr. Clinton continued, "but there simply isn't a great deal of ongoing research that addresses this issue. We're hoping to stimulate a dialogue that will attract more investigators into this critical area. The conference will also serve to remind the scientific community that AICR, known for its work on diet and cancer prevention, also devotes funding for research focused upon the cancer survivor." Conference Marks the Start of Ongoing Dialogue between Scientists, Survivor At the Nutrition after Cancer conference, various speakers and panel discussions will present attendees with up-to-date information on a variety of topics related to diet, nutrition and cancer survivorship. What do scientists know about this topic, and how do they know it? How do survivors evaluate health claims? What steps can survivors take today, while waiting for ongoing research to yield concrete answers. The AICR experts stress, however, that the conference is designed to offer two-way communication between the scientific community and the survivor community. "We will present survivors with what science has learned so far about lifestyle choices and dietary habits after surviving cancer," said Dr. Clinton. "In return for which, we want to hear from them. Where should future scientific endeavors be focused? What are the unanswered questions that need to be addressed? How can our two groups work together to foster more and better research in this vital field?" Topics scheduled to be discussed at the Nutrition after Cancer Conference include: Keynote Address - Presented by Sam Donaldson, ABC News. The State of the Science on Nutrition and Cancer Survivorship - Steven Clinton, MD, PhD, Ohio State University, will provide an up-to-date research overview. The Information Challenge - Diana Dyer, MS, RD and cancer survivor, will discuss the many questions that arise following successful treatment for cancer. Evaluating Nutrition and Supplement Claims: The Acid Test of Risk Assessment - Mary Beth Augustine, MS, RD, of Beth Israel Center for Health and Healing, will outline a method for assessing the many health claims that bombard those in the survivor community. Sane Solutions…For Now - David Heber, MD, PhD, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at UCLA School of Medicine, will present the latest nutrition advice on weight management, diet, and exercise. To register for the AICR Nutrition After Cancer conference on May 8, 2001 at the New York Academy of Medicine, call 1-800-843-8114, extension 33. Cost for attendance to the NAC conference is $55 and includes a healthy, flavorful lunch that follows AICR's dietary guidelines. Keep checking the AICR website, www.aicr.org, for updates and further information.
For more information, or to contact American Institute for Cancer Research, see their website at: www.aicr.org |
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