Diet, Nutrition and the

Prevention of Cancer

Dietary Fat and Meat Intake

Cancers of the Breast, Colon, Prostrate and
Endometrium are strongly correlated with
increased consumption of animal fat.

Breast Cancer and Fats

Meta-analysis of case control studies have
shown that increase risk of breast cancer
was somewhat greater for saturated and
monounsaturated fats than for
polyunsaturated fats.

Breast Cancer and Fats

In Southern European countries, increase
intake of monounsaturated fats have a
relatively low rates of breast cancer because
of the high average intakes of olive oil.

Colon Cancer and Fats

In the multivariate analysis, red meat intake
remained significantly predictive of risk of
colon cancer.
A cohort study in Iowa women also found direct
association with processed meats with colon
cancer.

Colon Cancer and Fats

Intake of red meat and animal fat has a
positive association with prostrate cancer.

Other Cancers and Fats

A prospective study among women showed
no evidence of relation between fat intake
and risk of endometrial cancer.

Positive associations have hypothesized between

fat intake and risks of skin cancer and lung
cancer.

Fruits and Vegetables

Inverse associations between cancers of the
oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, endometrium,
cervix, bladder, kidney and breast with high
intake of fruits and vegetables.
Inverse associations with tomato products,
the primary source of the carotenoid
lycopene, with prostrate cancer

Dietary fibers and Cancer

High fiber, low meat consumption, high
physical activity showed low rates of colon
cancer.
Higher intake of fiber has been found to
reduce risk of breast cancer.

Alcoholic and Caffeinated

Beverages and Cancer
High consumption of alcohol, in combination
with smoking, is a well-established cause of
cancer of oral cavity, larynx, esophagus and
liver.
High consumption of alcohol, in combination with
smoking, is a well-established cause of cancer of
oral cavity, larynx, esophagus and liver.

Alcoholic and Caffeinated

Beverages and Cancer
One or two drinks of alcohol per day increase
risk of breast cancer.
Moderate alcohol consumption appears to
associated with cancers of the colon and
rectum.

Coffee consumption has been unassociated

with gastric cancer.

Vitamin Supplements and

Cancer
Vitamin A supplements at the RDA level
might be associated with reductions in
breast cancer incidence.
Folic acid reduce risk of large bowel cancer.
Vitamin E reduced risk of oral cancer and
gastric cancer.

Calcium and Cancer

Men and women who had the highest intakes
of calcium (1500mg a day) through both
their diet and supplement use had a
modestly reduced risk of colorectal cancer
compared with those who had the lowest
calcium intakes.

Carcinogens in Food
Aflatoxin B, induces gene mutations causing
unscheduled DNA synthesis and cell
transformation.
Sterigmatocystin generated by the
Penicillum, Biopolaris and Aspergillus also
induces hepatocellular carcinomas in rats.
Ochratoxin A produced by Aspergilllus and
other fungi causes tubular cell carcinomas of
the kidney in female rats.

Carcinogens in Food
Shitake, a popular edible mushroom in Japan
contains agaritine, false morel which
contains hydrazine derivatives induce
malignant histiocytomas and liver cell
carcinomas in hamsters.

Carcinogens in Food
Safrole, a major constituent of the oil of the sassafras
tree and has been used as fragrance in soft drinks and
soaps induce hepatomas and angiosarcomas in mice..

Nitrosamines containing food such as cooked bacon,

and the beer has increased the risk of colon cancer.

Carcinogens in Food
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons produced by
heating materials are widely distributed in our
environment. Broiled steak is reported to be
contaminated by these various substances.

Excess sodium chloride has been linked to

gastric cancer.