Our backyard is typical of many older Toronto neighbourhoods: extremely modest in square footage and bumped up against many others. Let’s just say we don’t eat breakfast on our deck in our undies, you know?
As everyone can see everyone, we are lucky enough to have great (and quiet!) neighbours. The ones in closer range we know by name. But as the row of decks stretches on down the street, so do the familiar faces we haven’t become formally acquainted with.
So, like any normal homeowners do, my husband and I sit out on our deck and give them nicknames. (Tell me you haven’t done this?) There is Mr. Pooch (always playing with his dog), Basketball Boy (forever shooting hoops in the back of his house), and the most infamous of them all: Carcinogen Man. You may think he gained that moniker by chain smoking, but not even close. Carcinogen Man earned his title by barbequing nearly every meal in every season, rain or shine. I can’t help but worry what all those burnt burgers are doing to his health.
Turns out, if your protein is turning black, there is legitimate reason to worry. Cooking meat at high temps for long periods of time means it’s more likely to contain two compounds linked to cancer: HCA’s (heterocyclic amines) and PAH’s (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Looks like my nickname was spot on.
That said, there are some easy ways to protect yourself. Registered Dietitian Katelynn Maniatis, who is also a member of the Patient and Family Support Program’s Clinical Nutrition Team at the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, joined me in my kitchen for an afternoon primer. You can watch my video for a full run down.
With all this great information, I can’t help but feel the importance of sharing. It’s also a great excuse to formally introduce myself to Carcinogen Man and find out who he really is (not to mention, find out what he’s been calling me all this time). Maybe he’ll have us over for dinner.
Happy grilling!
Did You Know? The Patient and Family Support Program works with the Odette Cancer Centre’s oncology teams to support patient and caregiver needs beyond treatment of the cancer. The Program also includes social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech language pathologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, the Palliative Care Consult Team and a drug reimbursement specialist.
