`IT'S THE MIX'

''When you look at all the evidence, it's the mix of foods that people eat that offers the most protection, it's the synergy of antioxidants and vitamins -- not just one food,'' said Colleen Doyle, director of nutrition and physical activity at the American Cancer Society. ``A story will come out -- eat blueberries and you won't get cancer. There isn't evidence that one food alone will prevent cancer.

''One of the key things to keep in mind is, even more than what foods people eat, it's how much they eat,'' she added. ``People really need to watch their weight to reduce the cancer risk.''

Adding to the confusion is the fact that some groups that teach people how to battle cancer through nutrition may have other agendas. One of those is the Cancer Project, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that is part of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group that has a strong animal rights focus and advocates against animal testing. The group, which offers cooking courses aimed at preventing or surviving cancer, cites studies done in Germany that show those who eat a plant-based diet have a 40 percent less chance of contracting cancer.

Though its philosophy and advice to avoid meats and dairy products at all costs sometimes clashes with other groups such as the American Cancer Society, there is general agreement that fruits and vegetables are important parts of the diet.

The Cancer Project is now offering a series of sessions at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. At a recent class attended by about 30 cancer fighters, survivors and family members, Cancer Project instructor Janelle Hoilett prepared several bean-based dishes, including dip and hummus. She poured samples of soy milk, rice milk, almond milk and hemp milk, cautioning that cows' milk can lead to tumor growth.

The group also advises abstention from eggs, fish, cheese, meat and other dairy products. ''You need to look outside a Western diet,'' Hoilett said. ``We preach to eat more fiber and antioxidants.''

However, hospital dietician Iris Baker continually jumped up throughout a recent one-hour class to counter some of Hoilett's claims, particularly when Hoilett called cows' milk dangerous.

''There is a big controversy over whether they are injecting hormones into milk,'' Baker said. ``I drink skim milk. Some people need milk to get their B vitamins. Publix now says its milk is hormone-free.''

When Hoilett was preparing the bean salad, Hoilett cautioned those with high blood pressure to use low-sodium beans. She also warned against excessive sugar consumption -- especially when Hoilett described how she makes almond milk by blending bananas and almonds.

The American Cancer Society takes issue with the group for not disclosing its roots as an animal rights group, and says some of the group's claims are not backed by scientific evidence.

''Our take on the evidence is that eating a vegetarian diet or eating that strict of a vegetarian diet offers no more cancer prevention,'' Doyle said. ``We disagree with what they are doing to the extent that consumers may not be getting the full picture. If there was evidence that cutting out lean turkey or chicken or fish prevented cancer, we should be talking about it. But the evidence is not there.''

However, the American Cancer Society, as well as Aventura Hospital representatives, say the Cancer Project offers much positive nutrition advice, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, beans, multigrain breads, and lower fat in general.

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