Does sugar feed cancer?

No. According to the National Cancer Institute, eating sugar has not been shown to make cancer worse, and stopping sugar has not been shown to make cancer shrink or disappear.

It is true that research has found cancer cells consume more sugar (glucose) than normal cells do. This fact is often where the myth comes from. But no studies have shown that the sugar in your diet directly feeds a tumor or changes the course of cancer.

There is one point worth keeping in mind. A high-sugar diet can add to excess weight gain, and obesity is linked to a higher risk of developing several types of cancer. So while cutting sugar will not treat cancer, eating well and keeping a healthy weight are still good for your overall health.

If your family is encouraging you to make big diet changes, it may help to talk with your healthcare team. They can give you guidance based on your own situation and help sort out what will and will not make a difference.