Article Need More Fruits and Veggies

More fruit, veggies key to cancer fight: survey

Canadian Press

TORONTO ‹ Ontario adults are not eating enough fruits and vegetables to
reap cancer-fighting benefits, suggests a new study by Cancer Care
Ontario.

The study released Tuesday also concludes many Ontarians are too heavy
and too inactive, other risk factors for developing cancer.

Up to 30 per cent of cancers -- or 16,000 cases -- could be prevented
if Ontarians ate more fruit and vegetables, got more exercise and kept
their weight in check, the provincial cancer agency says in its Ontario
Nutrition and Cancer Prevention Survey.

Another 30 per cent of cancers could be eliminated if smokers quit
their habit, it adds.

Cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum
pancreas, larynx, lungs and bladder all have "convincing or probable
evidence for prevention by vegetable and fruit consumption," Cancer
Care Ontario says.

Esophagus, colon, rectum, breast, uterus and kidney cancers seem to be
positively affected by maintaining a healthy body weight, and physical
activity may combat cancer of the colon, rectum, breast, uterus and
prostate.

Health agencies recommend that adults eat five or more servings of
fruits and vegetables a day, but 40 per cent of adults fail to consume
that minimum, Cancer Care Ontario adds.

"Some of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of
cancer are some of the simplest," says Dr. Terry Sullivan,
vice-president of research and cancer control at the agency.

"Each day we should be eating a few more fruits and vegetables and
including a bit more physical activity as well as keeping our weight in
a healthy range."

The telephone survey, conducted between June 2001 and May 2002,
involved 3,183 Ontario residents ages 18 to 64.

Forty-eight per cent of Ontarians surveyed were found to be overweight,
with a body mass index of 25 or more. The index _ the standard measure
for health _ is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms
by the square of their height in metres.

Another 48 per cent of those surveyed said they got less than three
hours of physical activity a week, less than the recommended 3.5 hours
a week.

Only 14 per cent of those surveyed got the recommended amount of fruit
and vegetables and exercise and maintained a healthy weight.

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