By Deborah Gilbert
News and Information Services

Top nutrition and cancer researchers will present the latest information on cancer-fighting foods at a conference at the U-M Friday (June 10).

Sponsored by the Human Nutrition Program of the School of Public Health, the Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Ann Arbor Dietetic Association, the conference, “Nutrition and Cancer,” will be held 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the Towsley Center for Continuing Medical Education.

A conference highlight will be a cancer-fighting menu designed by Jimmy Schmidt, chef and owner of Detroit’s Rattlesnake Club. Titled “Michigan goes Mediterranean,” the lunch will feature Michigan-grown foods.

“While some past studies have addressed the relationship between specific micronutrients and cancer risk, answers to cancer prevention are more likely to be found by examining the total diet,” said Cheryl L. Rock, assistant professor of human nutrition and a member of the Human Nutrition Program.

“Thus, we will assess not only the roles of micronutrients but also the role of fat, food preparation, the molecular mechanisms of cancer, and strategies to change diet so as to reduce cancer risk,” added Adam Drewnowski, professor of human nutrition and director of the nutrition program. “We also will discuss the new Mediterranean Diet.”

Topics and speakers will be:

8:45 a.m. “Cancer Fighting Nutrients: Carotinoids, Antioxidants and Phytoestrogens,” Gary Beecher, research leader, Nutrient Composition Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

9:30 a.m. “The Total Diet: Vegetables, Fruit and Fat in Cancer Prevention,” Phyllis E. Bowen, associate professor, Department of Nutrition and Medical Dietetics, University of Illinois, Chicago.

10:45 a.m. “Food Preparation and Bioavailability of Phytochemicals,” John W. Erdman, professor, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana.

11:30 a.m. “Mechanisms of Action in Carcinogenesis,” Max Wicha, professor of internal medicine and director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center.

1:30 p.m. “The Mediterranean Diet in Cancer Prevention,” Barbara Levine, associate professor of nutrition in medicine and director, Nutrition Information Center, New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical College.

2:15 p.m. “Overcoming Barriers to Dietary Change: The Low Fat Diet Approach,” Alan Kristal, associate member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and associate professor of epidemiology, University of Washington-Seattle.

3 p.m. Bill Laitner, health columnist, Detroit Free Press, will moderate a panel of experts on “Dietary Strategies in Cancer Prevention.”

To register or for more information, call 764-3277.

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