Give It Up for Gut Cancer

February 21, 2023
Give It Up for Gut Cancer

Next month the Gut Cancer Foundation is asking Kiwis to GIVE IT UP For Gut Cancer by ditching booze, sugar, or sitting on the sofa to raise vital funds for gut cancer research and awareness in Aotearoa. It’s free to sign up and the challenge can be done individually or in a team.

Every day, 17 Kiwis are diagnosed and eight will lose their life to a cancer of the digestive system. That’s over 6,000 Kiwis every year facing gut cancer, making them collectively the most common type of cancer in New Zealand.

GIVE IT UP For Gut Cancer aims to raise awareness of the risk factors that can increase the chance of developing a cancer of the digestive system and help participants create sustainable lifestyle changes. Whether that is reducing sugar intake, taking a break from alcohol or replacing evening TV with a walk around the block, a small positive lifestyle change that is a step towards living a healthier life.

Last year, participants came up with all sorts of ways to meet their individual challenges from putting a stationary bike in front of the TV so as not to miss the rugby, to brushing teeth right after dinner to stop the sweet cravings. Ideas are shared within the challenge Facebook group to support each other!

Experts behind the GIVE IT UP campaign include Dr Clare Wall, Professor of Nutrition who sits on the Gut Cancer Foundation’s Scientific Advisory committee, and for the third year running, 4 Wheels of Health, which was founded by Chef Simon Gault and nutritionist Sean Robertson. 

Together, with the Gut Cancer Foundation team they have created a series of resources to support kiwis through their challenge covering topics such as How To Deal With Cravings; How Sugar And Alcohol Affect The Gut Microbiome and tips for getting back into exercise.

Dr Wall says “It’s difficult changing our behaviours towards food and exercise, however this is a great way to find support to motivate you to change your lifestyle. Less sedentary behaviour, eating healthy food and being a healthy weight are important steps for reducing gut cancer risk.”

To find out more or to register go to www.giveitup.nz

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