The HMO that I belong to is being very thorough. So am I. Between the two of us, my post-cancer life will be well researched.

There are appointments to be kept and lists to be made. My surgeon wants to check her work. The HMO’s oncologist will recommend a course of treatment. (His opinion will be one of three.) The nutritionist will recommend a diet to be followed during treatment and beyond.

Meeting with the nutritionist was my idea. There are so many urban legends, and myths, about substances that cause or feed a body’s cancer that I’d like an expert to help me sift through them.

Among the urban legends is an email currently in circulation and entitled: “Cancer Update From John Hopkins.” When I read the email sent by a friend, I thought, “Shoot me now.” According to the report I could not drink tea or coffee, take sugar, or eat chocolate. Milk, according to the list, was out. So was red meat. Then a red flag went up. The institution’s name was misspelled. It is called Johns Hopkins, with an “s” after the word John.

I went to the Johns Hopkins internet site and found that the “cancer update” is a hoax. So I’ve taken the liberty of copying some of the institution’s real recommendations here:*

“While there is such a thing as tumors that produce mucus, the mucus made by a tumor does not result from drinking milk. And eating less meat, while a good choice for cancer prevention, does not free up enzymes to attack cancer cells, explains cancer prevention and control expert Elizabeth Platz.

“Moderation is key, says Platz. As part of a balanced diet, sugar, salt, milk, coffee, tea, meat, and chocolate—the foods the ‘Update’ calls into question—are all safe choices, she says. The real concern with many of these, particularly sugar, is that it adds calories to a diet and can lead to obesity, and obesity is a major risk factor for cancer. A balanced nutritious diet, healthy weight, physical activity, and avoiding alcoholic drinks may prevent as many as 1/3 of all cancers. Platz recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day and limiting red and processed meats, like hot dogs.

“Several Johns Hopkins experts participated in the World Cancer Research Fund - American Institute for Cancer Research report Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective, published in November 2007, which is considered by cancer prevention experts to be an authoritative source of information on diet, physical activity and cancer. Their recommendations for cancer prevention and for good health in general are:
1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day.
3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fiber, or high in fat).
4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans.
5. Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats.
6. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day.
7. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).
8. Don't use supplements to protect against cancer.”

*This is the link to the Johns Hopkins site: http://www.hopkinskimmelcancercenter.org/index.cfm/cID/1684/mpage/item.cfm/itemID/1016