It's not just what you take out; it's also what you put in.

[Elizabeth Allen]

Because survivors are more at risk for just about everything, thanks to chemotherapy and radiation, I've tried to tweak my lifestyle to fit my survivor status. One thing I've learned is that it's important to focus on diet just as much as exercise and mental well-being.  Eating a healthy diet doesn't just have to do with what you take out; monitoring what you put in is also important. Sugar intake, in particular, seems crucial, because tumors love sugar. As you can read or watch in the link below (from 60 Minutes on CBS), many tumors, including those found in breast and colon cancers, have insulin (sugar) receptors on their surface. Adding excess sugar to your diet, whether through candy, cookies, dessert, or other sources, can feed growing tumors. High fructose corn syrup, found in literally every processed food (just look at the labels in your cupboard!), is also a culprit.

It's hard, sometimes, to be so conscious about sugar intake in a sugar-loving country. I love sweets as much as the next person, don't get me wrong. But this research is something that stays in the back of my mind, reminding me to perhaps not add that sugar to my coffee today.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57407294/is-sugar-toxic/

[Kane Weinberg]

Very interesting stuff. I will definitely watch my sugar intake from now on. Thanks for sharing!

[Natasha Bear]

When I first got diagnosed, I was put on a strict no-sugar diet.  Unfortunately, when I started chemo, I lost my appetite, so eventually anything I would eat was supplied in large quantities.

This is good to know!  Im trying to be healthier this year, now I have a scientific reason.  I didn't know tumors loved sugar! Thanks so much for this post!

[Allison DeSoto]

Wow I knew sugar was bad but never knew tumors loved sugar!  Its crazy how much you find out when you actually look at food labels too.  I used to eat a huge bowl of cereal everyday and never thought there was anything wrong with it until I started to pay attention to labels, and boy do those cereals have a ton of sugar! lol So I cut that out.  Other than cereal I never really had a sweet tooth until I moved here to Georgia and wanted dessert every night! Ahh!  Been trying to keep it under control by considering moderation. (=

[Hillary Husband]

This is so interesting! I'm really big into baking so this issue is definitely something to think about as a survivor.