Featured Image Credit: (Instagram/thefigure_)
Topics: Cancer, Health, Food And Drink, Instagram
Brenna Cooper
Topics: Cancer, Health, Food And Drink, Instagram
A surgeon treating a health and fitness influencer for bowel cancer gave a stark warning to parents about the types of food which they're feeding their children.
When Australian influencer Danni Duncan went for a health MOT before her 40th birthday she had no idea that her life would change forever.
Following the appointment, the health and fitness coach was told that she had a 2cm malignant tumour at the top of her bowel.
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She was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer and underwent surgery to remove the tumour. Stage 2 cancers are typically treated by a combination of surgery as well as chemo and/or radiotherapy.
Danni has since shared her journey with her followers to raise awareness, which included her surgeon's concerning theory as to why so many young people are getting cancer.
Danni shared details about her diagnosis on Instagram, which included a comment from her surgeon stating that her bowel cancer wasn't caused by a genetic mutation.
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"My bowel cancer is not genetic - I have zero genetic risk factors and there is zero cancer in my family," the mum explained, adding that she has spent the past four years of her life on 'the biggest health journey.'
"[I] have eaten 80-90% whole foods, we use non toxic products at home, I don’t drink much alcohol, exercise every day and eat a high fibre diet," she added.
So, how did Danni develop cancer?
According to her surgeon, the 39-year-old's cancer had developed across an extended period of time.
"My surgeon’s words 'you acquired this mutation throughout your lifetime - most probably due to chemicals during your childhood including food/cleaning products,'" she explained.
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"That’s pretty f**king scary."
According to Cancer Research UK, more research needs to be done to fully understand the link between consuming ultra-processed foods and developing certain types of cancer. Meanwhile, Colon Cancer UK suggests people should follow a balanced diet which includes fruits, vegetables, fibre and protein in order to decrease their cancer risk.
It's also advised for people to cut down on foods which fall into the Group 1 carcinogens definition (which are known to cause cancer in humans). These include:
Sharing her response to the surgeon's comments, Danni stated that she believes the 'convenience foods' such as sugary cereals, snacks and fast food she ate growing up contributed to her condition.
"It does matter what you feed your kids," she explained.
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"Stop feeding your kids things that are not good for them, that are processed, that are full of s***.
"You might think they're fine, they're fine now - but what are you really doing to your kids? What detriment are you doing to your kids later on, without even realising it?"