New York Times: Does sugar feed cancer?
Cancer Center expert says you can't 'starve a tumor'
Stacy Shawhan, an oncology dietitian at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, told the New York Times she's heard many questions over the years from her cancer patients about how their diets influence their prognosis.
One question has come up more than the rest: Will consuming sugary foods and drinks feed my cancer cells, making my condition worse?
“Cancer patients are so vulnerable, and some of them are terrified to eat,” said Shawhan. “They think, ‘If I stop eating sugar, then I can starve my cancer.’”
While experts say that diets high in added sugars may increase your risk of cancer over a lifetime, cutting out all sugars doesn’t actually fight existing tumors.
Read the full New York Times story.
Featured photo: spoon of sugar.
Related Stories
Tips to avoid headaches this holiday season
December 15, 2025
A University of Cincinnati migraine expert offered a list of potential headache triggers around the holidays, and how you can try to avoid them, to 91.7 WVXU News. "There are a number of different factors that make this a very headache provocative time," said Vincent Martin, MD, professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine and director of the Headache and Facial Pain Center at the Gardner Neuroscience Institute.
Local couple uses royalties from children's books to give gifts to kids in need
December 15, 2025
A local couple has found a unique way to give back to those in need this holiday season. Vic and Laura Troha wrote two children's books together, and this year, they are using the proceeds to buy Christmas gifts for Hamilton County foster kids. The couple are both graduates of the University of Cincinnati's College of Allied Health Sciences and met the day they graduated.
The hottest toys this holiday season
December 15, 2025
Local 12 turned to Lindner College of Business associate professor-educator of marketing Roseann Hassey to explain what’s got the trendiest items flying off the shelves.