Good food is just the beginning when it comes to the Cancer Project. This organization, founded in 1991, provides a wealth of information to both cancer patients and those looking for ways to prevent cancer.

The Cancer Project “aims first to prevent cancer.” With a primary focus on nutrition, The Cancer Project seeks to educate people in making good dietary choices that help prevent cancer. Secondly, when cancer has been diagnosed, The Cancer Project “works to improve survival,” again by way of healthy nutrition and lifestyle choices.

Through innovative classes, a stellar website, books, newsletters and DVDs, The Cancer Project offers assistance to cancer patients and those who care for them. Here are just some of the services they provide:

“Food For Life” Nutrition and Cooking Classes. These classes are developed by physicians, registered dieticians, and nutrition experts. Each class is designed to inform us about foods and nutrients that work to prevent the growth of cancer (as well as those that might encourage it). Simple recipes are provided, along with a demonstration of how to prepare them.

I can personally vouch for these classes. At the class I attended, we met in a hospital conference room. Our instructor (who happened to be a chef at one of the best vegetarian restaurants in San Francisco) carted blenders, mixers, pots, pans, utensils, hot plates, and enough food to feed 20 people over 50 miles to make our evening a success. She then proceeded to walk us through the preparation, step by step (it was easy), with a full explanation of every ingredient and why it was beneficial.

Literature. The Cancer Survivor’s Guide. More than just a cookbook, The Cancer Survivor’s Guide helps us understand the latest scientific research and how it relates to our everyday choices regarding food and nutrition. Healthy Eating for Life: Food Choices for Cancer Prevention & Survival is a brochure that explains the benefits of a vegetarian diet and suggests many ways you can incorporate recipes into your meal plans, even if you aren’t ready to make a complete switch yet.

DVDs. Eating Right for Cancer Survival is a two-DVD set consisting of nine separate presentations that discuss how proper eating can bring substantial changes to your health and well being. These DVDs are designed as a companion to The Cancer Survivor’s Guide, but can also be used alone.

Recipes of the Week. Stay current by subscribing to the newsletter. Recipes of the Week are delivered by email and are a great way to “test the water,” so to speak, as you consider changing to healthier ways of eating.

The Cancer Project bases its nutrition and education programs on a vegetarian diet, because reasearch has shown that people who eat a plant-based, low-fat diet have a lower risk of developing cancer. For a lot of people, making the switch to a vegetarian diet just isn't going to happen!! By the same token, nearly everyone agrees that we need more fruits, whole grains and vegetables in our diet. So, even if we have no intention of giving up meat altogether, we can still benefit by incorporating a few of these recipes into our weekly menu.

Visit The Cancer Project today to get started on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Salut!