Before we go further, I want to address one question that is constantly circulating online in cancer communities. And it may be more apparent during Halloween season, when all conversations about candy lead to sugar. I often hear the question: “Doesn’t sugar feed cancer?” The answer isn’t as simple as it may seem.
Cancer cells do use glucose, a type of sugar, for energy, but so do all the healthy cells throughout the body. Glucose is the body’s primary fuel source. Our bodies are magnificent machines that regulate blood sugar very tightly through hormones like insulin. Our blood sugar naturally rises and falls every time we eat. According to the American Cancer Society, eating sugar hasn’t been shown to directly cause cancer, fuel cancer cells, or spread existing cancer. And avoiding sugar doesn’t necessarily starve cancer cells either. So, please don’t worry if you are thinking about eating a piece of candy and imagining that sugar traveling directly to feed a tumor in your body. It doesn’t quite work like that.
But does that mean we should eat pillowcases full of candy or consume unlimited amounts of added sugar? If you have read my previous columns, you know the answer is no.
It’s important to remember that not all sources of sugar are the same in the way that they affect the body. Whole foods, like fruits, veggies, and whole grains, are rich in fiber, which helps slow down the absorption of the natural sugar in whole foods, keeps us full longer, provides us other important nutrients, and lowers inflammation. These are known as complex carbohydrates. On the other hand, foods and drinks that are high in added sugars, like desserts, candy, and sodas, have refined carbohydrates that provide little nutritional value. When consumed regularly, these foods can contribute to excess calorie intake, weight gain, obesity, chronic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. Excess body fat and obesity are associated with a higher risk of at least 13 different types of cancer, including breast cancer. So, the real link between added sugar and cancer is indirect.
From my perspective, I’m not worried that a handful of Halloween candy or a piece of birthday cake is going to directly “feed or cause cancer.” As I tell my kids and patients, it’s what you are eating most of the time and your overall dietary pattern over years that make the biggest impact on your short- and long-term health. That’s why I focus on educating and helping people build healthy sustainable habits, rather than worrying about one holiday.
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