Red meat link to higher risk of breast cancer

Was the headline in today's Daily Mail. In an article by Gwyneth Rees, she states that women who frequently eat small amounts of red meat could be massively increasing their chances of developing breast cancer. Researchers at Sheffield University believe that red meat is contributing to the onset of breast cancer because it is rich source of saturated fat.

Lead researcher, Janet Cade, a professor of nutritional epidemiology and public health at the university said: "The findings are robust. Women consuming the most total meat, red meat and the processed meat were at the highest risk compared to non-meat eaters, although red and processed meat were only statistically significant post-menopausally". The research, published today(April 4th) in the British Journal of Cancer, involved 35000 women aged between 35 and 69 who were studied over eight years.

Henry Scowcroft, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: " Our best dietary advice to women worried about their breast cancer risk is to maintain a healthy body weight by taking regular exercise and avoiding large regular portions of fatty foods like red and processed meat and excess alcohol". Excellent advice for men and women alike.


(An article in the Washington Times last November, highlighted a Harvard report linking and increased risk of breast cancer in younger women who regualry eat red meat)

Two weeks to go

Am I fit enough? I am healthy enough? Of course I am.

Early start tomorrow morning. That entails a walk to the gym, that's one mile, another mile on the tread mill followed by upper body CV work and then the step machine. Repeated again on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Also good news on the weight. There's 4 lbs less of me that at the start of January.

10 miles on a Sunday

Yes, I'm really going for the burn, or is it burp!

From Winnington Road through Hampstead and Belsize Park, over to Primrose Hill, where a banana was consumed, then onwards to Regents Park and Marylebone High Street. St Christopher's Place was reached a few minutes later then finally, Oxford Street. Did I flakeout? - NO WAY - my Trek training is reaching a peak!

A few minutes respite where water (not fizzy) was imbibed and then down Bond Street into Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and then the haul back via Tottenham Court Road. Along Hampstead Road and Camden High Street. Then disaster struck - a bus was taken to the bottom of Pond Street, Hampstead. "How could you? I hear you squeal - but the punishment was that long shlep up East Heath Road to Whitestone Pond (see pic) then past the Spaniards pub and the car was retrieved shortly thereafter.

I think that's around 10 miles - anybody disagree?

Now how did Ellee get on in Norfolk this weekend with the Cambridge Ramblers?

3 weeks to go

So with just 3 weeks to go, you're probably asking " is he fit enough".

An unequivocal, YES.

Ten steps to a healthy new you

As outlined in Medical Notes by Dr Mark Porter in todays Evening Standard.

1. Broaden your mind - do something completely different.
Trekking in Africa next month is pretty unusual.

2. Worry less about your weight and more about your shape.
This is about losing intra-abdominal fat.

3. Run for charity
Well, I'm trekking for charity

4. Identify any problems in your life, face them, and take action
Am doing

5. Join a Pilates class
OK will do

6. Have your blood pressure and cholestorol level checked
Did it 3 weeks ago

7. Quit smoking
Not relevant!

8. Take the right supplements
Not sure about this one. But a Brazil nut once a day can help. Rich in selenium.

9. Cut back on salt
Will do

10. Treat yourself to a regular massage
Frequently do. Ask for Eva at "Sheline" in St Johns Wood

Top Tips for 2007

Over at the other place, I've done a meme regarding 2007 and what we might expect. Here, I have one main target - and that's to finish the Trek safely and in one piece!

Top tip - don't try and outrun a cheetah.

The sun is out and a tip to relieve winter gloom

So the sun is out. I think it's the first time in about a week. Certainly raises any winter gloom that's hanging around.

Time for a stiff walk me thinks.

The daily training continues.

Now if I was giving a pound for every mile I've walked in preparation for my Breast Cancer Campaign Trek................................................................

Back in training tomorrow

Before I set off for Ramsgate to see the match of the decade, I'll be out at 7am for a Boxing Day jaunt at Kenwood. The training goes on.......................

Sore throat

Always happens when you least need it or expect it. I'm not going to allow a minor ailment to interrupt the gym later today! The training must go on.

The dropping temperature

So winter is uopn us. Ant the thought of trudging around Hampstead Garden Suburb at 6 in the morning doesn't exactly fell me with glee. More intrepidation.

Still. I must prepare for the Trek and keep busy elsewhere.

Just 2 months to go to the Trek.

I shall be flying out to Nairobi on February 16th. There's still much training to do - not a moment to waste. See ya later!

Get the Body you want

Says the advert. If you excuse the North American sales pitch style, there are some interesting tips if you sign up here.

Exercising is all very well but nutrition is key.

I wonder whether Eastcliffe Richard is a keep fit sort of bloke, or is he a couch potato? Perhaps a bit like Pillage Idiot?

Top Tips for Sports success - Weight loss

Perhaps unwisely, I 've set a target of losing 1/2 a stone before February 16th. On the face of it, it doesn't seem too difficult! I mean come on, that's less than one pound a week - no problem.


The punishing training schedule is very firmly under way. The Masaai awaits.

Top Tips for Sports Success

Following on from the theme below, what about sports success?

Well, how about this for starters..............

1. Exercise reguarly.

2. Get a good nights sleep.

3. Eat sensibly

4. Know your limits.

Margate today

A fleeting visit to see Lord Neville of Margate. Before doing so, I took my lovely niece down to Foreness Bay. You know there's something so refreshing about an English seaside resort in December. It's called the temperature! Although one was blessed with some excellent winter sunshine, the cold curtailed our visit to one of my childhood playgrounds.

Undeterred by this calamity, His Lordship was collected and transported via the seafront at Grenham Bay , Birchington and onwards to the Minnis Bay Restaurant. The fabulous threesome eat their way through a pleasant Sunday lunch before taking in the sites of the wonderful Isle of Thanet.

It was so clear today that one could easily make out La France. The huge cliffs at Cap Gris Nez are easily viewed when atmospheric conditions allow. Apart from being in a plane over Manston aerodrome, or Kent International Airport as it's now known, the "best" place to see France is abive the port at Ramsgate. Yes, Ramsgate, home to Eascliffe Richard, Frannie Oapen, Ramsgate Tourettes and other well know personages of the East Kent Blogosphere.
(Iain Dale is from West Kent).

Having survived "Chav Central", our route took us through Westwood Cross.
(This absurd "out-of-town" shopping centre has decimated the High Streets of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate in one very foul swoop).

Upon our return to Westgate-on-Sea, tea was taken before the long-haul back to the centre of the universe.

What's this got to do with my training schedule. Not a lot. But families should always come first.

Strenous exercises

Costas put me through my paces this morning. Various stretches, lunges and vigourous exercises all designed to assist with the Trek which is in less than three months time.

Sometimes I think about my sister. She's probably looking down and laughing to herself at all the preparation I'm doing for February's adventure.

Gym Membership

........has been taken out at a place 80' off the ground in East Finchley. Now that's got you all thinking hasn't it!

Still a fair bit of preparation to do, so I'll be down there 3 times a week and that's excluding the walking.

Have also added the very lovely Frances Oapen from Ramsgate to the Blog Links. A fiesty young woman, whose looking for a fit bloke with a Beemer! Her Blog is called FRANORAMA.

Annual medical check - up

Mine was on Monday. Prognosis - should last the weekend!

Seriously, when was the last time you had your cholestorol levels/bp/eyes/feet checked?

Keeping active

Much of today was spent with Lord S. of Rickmansworth and his heir. The spritely 6 year-old showed us his footballing skills this morning, then after lunch, at home, run rings around me in the back garden.

Not to be outdone, yours truly rolled back the years and after 30 or so minutes of tackling, shooting, dribbling and doing "keepy uppey", one felt a great sense of achievement. So today's aerobic exercise has set me up nicely for the trek in Oxfordshire. Mind you rain is forecast. Am I bovvered?

Inoculations - are they a rip-off?

Just before the Christmas break, I'll have my various inoculations in preparations for the "Trek". The organisers of the event suggest Yellow Fever, malaria, rabies, Hepatitus A & B and a couple of others.

My GP's surgery intend to charge me about 50 quid. Is this reasonable?

Should Breast Cancer Campaign pay?

What do you think?

Post a comment here or at the other Blog