Every August we see coffee mornings advertised for cancer awareness and fundraising, and before I say anything else, let me be very clear: the intention behind them is beautiful.
People come together.
Money is raised.
Support is shown.
Communities connect.
And all of that matters enormously.
But lately I’ve found myself quietly asking a question that perhaps many people are thinking but not saying out loud.
If we are trying to raise awareness around cancer and health, should we also be rethinking what we are actually serving at these events?
Because traditionally, many coffee mornings revolve around cakes, biscuits, pastries, sugary treats, and highly processed foods. And while of course nobody develops cancer from one slice of cake, we also cannot ignore the growing body of evidence showing that long-term diet and lifestyle absolutely influence inflammation, obesity, metabolic health, and disease risk.
What worries me is that we still seem uncomfortable having honest conversations about food and prevention.
We talk about treatment.
We talk about fundraising.
We talk about awareness.
But prevention often feels like the quieter conversation in the corner.
And yet prevention matters enormously.
Again, I’m not saying people should never enjoy cake or coffee. Life is about balance, pleasure, culture, and connection too. But perhaps we need to start asking ourselves whether our idea of “normal” around food has drifted too far away from what actually nourishes the body.
Could we not still gather, connect, support one another, and raise money while also offering healthier choices?
Beautiful fruit platters.
Homemade bean salads.
Nut-based treats.
Whole-food bakes with less sugar.
Herbal teas.
Fresh Mediterranean-style dishes.
Food that supports health rather than constantly challenging it.
Because one thing I have noticed over the years is that people often separate enjoyment from health, as though healthy food must somehow be boring, restrictive, or joyless.
But that has never been my experience growing up in Sardinia.
Some of the most comforting, delicious, and satisfying foods I have ever eaten were also some of the healthiest.
Simple soups.
Beans and pulses.
Vegetable dishes.
Fresh bread.
Olive oil.
Real homemade food shared around a table.
And perhaps this is where we need to return again.
Not fear around food.
Not guilt.
But more awareness.
More honesty.
And more understanding that what we repeatedly eat over years and decades really does matter.
Because while awareness campaigns are incredibly important, surely true awareness should also include conversations about prevention, nourishment, and how we can support our health long before illness develops.
Prevention is better than cure always
Milvia Pili
Functional Nutritional Therapist
