April 11, 2024
Sugar the greatest risk to Māori health
Former Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says sugar is one of the greatest risks to Māori health – and that it was a major contributor to his prostate cancer.
He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the cancer last September, but is controlling it with chemical and radiation therapy.
He says Māori have disproportionate levels of diabetes, kidney failure and heart disease – and society’s addiction to sugar as one of their biggest challenges.
“When you look around it seems that just about everything’s got sugar in it. Well sugar is the thing that feeds the cancer. And so, it’s not going to be gone forever but its a good prognosis at the moment because it says that I’ve got a bit more time on this earth,” Mr Flavell says.
When he was first diagnosed he wanted to just give up, but his wife Erana and close whānau and friends have kept him in a positive frame of mind.
L-R Erana Flavell with Te Ururoa and moko