05 August 2015
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia's (PCFA) Big Aussie Barbie campaign is all about people coming together for a barbecue to help PCFA invest in world-leading research, raise awareness of prostate cancer and support men and their families affected by the disease.
Since the campaign was launched in 2009, PCFA has received invaluable support from companies all over Australia, high profile personalities and everyday Australians who all want to contribute to the fight against a disease that kills more than 3,300 Australian men each year.i
For the 2015 campaign, PCFA has proudly aligned with Jim Beam, which also recognises the importance of raising better awareness of prostate cancer in the community. PCFA understands that this new partnership may prompt some questions in relation to prostate cancer and alcohol consumption.
There is no probable evidence that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for developing prostate cancer. There is, however, evidence that alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bowel (in men) and breast (in women), and probable evidence that it increases the risk of bowel cancer (in women) and liver cancer.ii
PCFA and Jim Beam encourage all Australians to consume alcohol responsibly. Australians over the legal drinking age can enjoy alcohol at their barbecues, but need to ensure it is done in a responsible way.
PCFA and Jim Beam support the latest Australian Government National Health & Medical Research Council guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol:iii
- For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces your risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury over a lifetime.
- Drinking no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.
Further information about alcohol-related health issues and Australian Government policy can be found at: www.alcohol.gov.au
Australians should also enjoy a wide variety of foods every day. A healthy diet incorporates foods from the five major food groups including grains, vegetables, lean meats, fruit and dairy. Preparing a healthy meal is easy, especially with the guidance from the latest dietary guidelines from the National Health and Medical Research Council.iv PCFA suggests that people follow these simple steps to ensure their Big Aussie Barbie menus are delicious and nutritious:
- Choose lean cuts of meat for your BBQ - focus on lean red meat, seafood and poultry
- Supplement your BBQ with greens - ensure to include lots of salads and vegetables
- Avoid consuming overcooked meats that are charred or burnt
- Limit your intake of processed meats like sausages
For more information on healthy eating, visit www.eatforhealth.gov.au
For more information about the Big Aussie Barbie campaign, visit www.bigaussiebarbie.com.au
References
i http://www.pcfa.org.au/awareness/understanding-prostate-cancer/how-common-is-prostate-cancer/
ii http://wiki.cancer.org.au/policy/Position_statement_-_Alcohol_and_cancer
