About cancer and food Prevengion foods we eat can affect our risk of developing certain types of cancer. Cancsr of moderate and vigorous intensity physical activities Moderate intensity Nutrituon intensity Preventin and leisure Walking, dancing, leisurely bicycling, ice and roller skating, horseback Nutrition and cancer prevention, canoeing, yoga Jogging or Fat burner for overall health, fast bicycling, circuit weight training, Bioavailability of phytochemicals dance, martial cancsr, jumping rope, swimming Sports Volleyball, golfing, softball, baseball, badminton, doubles tennis, downhill skiing Soccer, basketball, field or ice hockey, lacrosse, singles tennis, racquetball, cross-country skiing Home activities Mowing the lawn, general yard and garden maintenance Digging, carrying and hauling, masonry, carpentry Workplace activity Walking and lifting as part of the job custodial work, farming, auto or machine repair Heavy manual labor forestry, construction, fire fighting Recommended amount of activity Adults should get minutes per week of moderate intensity activity or minutes per week of vigorous intensity activity, or an equal combination. Sepsis bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues with the use of parenteral nutrition. What is the effect of nutritional interventions on symptoms e. Get details.

Nutrition and cancer prevention -

Scientists have studied many additives, nutrients, and other dietary components for possible associations with cancer risk. These include:. Home About Cancer Cancer Causes and Prevention Risk Factors Diet. Cancer Causes and Prevention Risk Factors Age Alcohol Cancer-Causing Substances Chronic Inflammation Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions Diet Hormones Immunosuppression Infectious Agents Obesity Radiation Sunlight Tobacco Genetics Cancer Prevention Overview Research.

Credit: National Cancer Institute. An animal study also showed that cinnamon extract induced cell death in tumor cells, and also decreased how much tumors grew and spread However, more studies are needed to understand how cinnamon may affect cancer development in humans.

Summary Test-tube and animal studies have found that cinnamon extract may have anticancer properties and may help decrease the growth and spread of tumors.

More research in humans is needed. Research has found that eating nuts may be linked to a lower risk of certain types of cancer. For instance, a study looked at the diets of 19, people and found that eating a greater amount of nuts was associated with a decreased risk of dying from cancer Another study followed 30, participants for up to 30 years and found that eating nuts regularly was associated with a decreased risk of colorectal, pancreatic and endometrial cancers For example, Brazil nuts are high in selenium, which may help protect against lung cancer in those with a low selenium status These results suggest that adding a serving of nuts to your diet each day may reduce your risk of developing cancer in the future.

Still, more studies in humans are needed to determine whether nuts are responsible for this association, or whether other factors are involved.

Summary Some studies have found that an increased intake of nuts may decrease the risk of cancer. Research shows that some specific types like Brazil nuts and walnuts may also be linked to a lower risk of cancer. Several studies have even found that a higher intake of olive oil may help protect against cancer.

One massive review made up of 19 studies showed that people who consumed the greatest amount of olive oil had a lower risk of developing breast cancer and cancer of the digestive system than those with the lowest intake Another study looked at the cancer rates in 28 countries around the world and found that areas with a higher intake of olive oil had decreased rates of colorectal cancer Swapping out other oils in your diet for olive oil is a simple way to take advantage of its health benefits.

You can drizzle it over salads and cooked vegetables, or try using it in your marinades for meat, fish or poultry. Though these studies show that there may be an association between olive oil intake and cancer, there are likely other factors involved as well.

More studies are needed to look at the direct effects of olive oil on cancer in people. Summary Several studies have shown that a higher intake of olive oil may be associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. Turmeric is a spice well-known for its health-promoting properties.

Curcumin, its active ingredient, is a chemical with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and even anticancer effects.

One study looked at the effects of curcumin on 44 patients with lesions in the colon that could have become cancerous. In a test-tube study, curcumin was also found to decrease the spread of colon cancer cells by targeting a specific enzyme related to cancer growth Another test-tube study showed that curcumin helped kill off head and neck cancer cells Curcumin has also been shown to be effective in slowing the growth of lung, breast and prostate cancer cells in other test-tube studies 30 , 31 , Use it as a ground spice to add flavor to foods, and pair it with black pepper to help boost its absorption.

Summary Turmeric contains curcumin, a chemical that has been shown to reduce the growth of many types of cancer and lesions in test-tube and human studies. Eating citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges has been associated with a lower risk of cancer in some studies.

One large study found that participants who ate a higher amount of citrus fruits had a lower risk of developing cancers of the digestive and upper respiratory tracts A review looking at nine studies also found that a greater intake of citrus fruits was linked to a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer These studies suggest that including a few servings of citrus fruits in your diet each week may lower your risk of developing certain types of cancer.

More studies are needed on how citrus fruits specifically affect cancer development. Summary Studies have found that a higher intake of citrus fruits could decrease the risk of certain types of cancers, including pancreatic and stomach cancers, along with cancers of the digestive and upper respiratory tracts.

Some research has shown that it may even help decrease cancer growth and help kill off cancer cells. In one study, 32 women with breast cancer received either a flaxseed muffin daily or a placebo for over a month.

At the end of the study, the flaxseed group had decreased levels of specific markers that measure tumor growth, as well as an increase in cancer cell death In another study, men with prostate cancer were treated with flaxseed, which was found to reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells Flaxseed is high in fiber, which other studies have found to be protective against colorectal cancer 7 , 8 , 9.

Try adding one tablespoon 10 grams of ground flaxseed into your diet each day by mixing it into smoothies, sprinkling it over cereal and yogurt, or adding it to your favorite baked goods.

Summary Some studies have found that flaxseed may reduce cancer growth in breast and prostate cancers. It is also high in fiber, which may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer. Lycopene is a compound found in tomatoes that is responsible for its vibrant red color as well as its anticancer properties.

Several studies have found that an increased intake of lycopene and tomatoes could lead to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. A review of 17 studies also found that a higher intake of raw tomatoes, cooked tomatoes and lycopene were all associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer Another study of 47, people found that a greater intake of tomato sauce, in particular, was linked to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer To help increase your intake, include a serving or two of tomatoes in your diet each day by adding them to sandwiches, salads, sauces or pasta dishes.

Summary Some studies have found that a higher intake of tomatoes and lycopene could reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, more studies are needed. The active component in garlic is allicin, a compound that has been shown to kill off cancer cells in multiple test-tube studies 40 , 41 , Several studies have found an association between garlic intake and a lower risk of certain types of cancer.

One study of , participants found that those who ate lots of Allium vegetables, such as garlic, onions, leeks and shallots, had a lower risk of stomach cancer than those who rarely consumed them While eating fruits and vegetables may offer some degree of protection from lung cancer, not smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke is by far the best prevention.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the world. There is an increased risk of breast cancer with factors such as rapid early growth, greater adult height and weight gain in adulthood. The rate of breast cancer also increases with age.

Postmenopausal women who are carrying too much weight, particularly around their middle, have more than twice the average risk of breast cancer. Diets high in foods containing mono-unsaturated fat, such as olive oil, canola oil, some nuts and seeds, and high in vegetables may reduce the risk.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men. Men over the age of 50 are at greater risk. However, it can be seen in younger men as well.

Vegetables soy , in particular may decrease the risk, while a high-fat diet that comprises mostly of animal fat sources such as dairy products, fatty meats and takeaway foods may increase the risk. Maintaining a healthy body weight may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, tomato-based products, watermelon and strawberries that may help lower the risk of prostate cancer.

Evidence suggests that consuming one to 2 serves of tomatoes per day where a serve is ½ a cup or 75 grams is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer. Bowel cancer colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia.

Keeping a healthy weight , being physically active and having a diet high in vegetables and fibre are protective, while consuming a large amount of red meat, processed meat and alcohol may increase the risk.

The World Cancer Research Fund suggests high-dose dietary supplements are not recommended for cancer prevention, and the best approach to preventing cancer is to aim to meet nutrition needs through whole foods. Studies may show that foods containing certain nutrients have a protective effect.

However, this does not mean that these nutrients will provide the same benefits for cancer prevention if taken as supplements.

In some cases, there has been an increased risk of cancer in those people who take nutrient supplements at doses higher than the usual amount of that nutrient normally eaten in foods.

For example, the use of beta-carotene and vitamin E supplements has not been proven to be effective in either prevention or treatment of lung cancer. In fact, several studies have shown that beta-carotene supplements actually increase the risk of lung cancer in people who smoke.

These include:. While food plays an important role in preventing some cancers, the therapeutic value of food in treating existing cancer is less clear. It is true that a person with cancer needs excellent nutrition in order to better cope with the physical demands of the illness and the rigours of medical treatment.

Claims that particular foods, vitamins or micronutrients can kill cancer cells should be viewed with scepticism. To date, there is little scientific proof that a particular food or supplement can cure cancer or destroy cancer cells.

Nutrition for the person with cancer is important for many reasons, including:. Achieving or maintaining a healthy weight is all about balancing energy we take in and energy we burn. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Cancer. Cancer and food. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet.

On this page. About cancer and food Grains help to protect against cancer Meat and bowel cancer Fats and cancer Fruits, vegetables and cancer Common cancers and food Protecting against cancer — foods and drinks to limit Protecting against cancer — foods to eat Supplements are not the answer to preventing cancer Foods that may increase cancer risk Treating cancer with food Energy and maintaining a healthy body weight Where to get help.

About cancer and food The foods we eat can affect our risk of developing certain types of cancer.

Hyperglycemia and diet management healthy diet Nutritoon help you Cancet or fight cancer. Avoiding cigarettes, limiting alcohol, reaching a healthy weight, and getting regular canncer Fueling the body for intense training all great steps for preventing cancer. Prevejtion a healthy diet can also play a vital role. Prevntion you eat—and don't eat—can have a powerful effect on your health, including your risk for cancer. While research tends to point to associations between specific foods and cancer, rather than solid cause-and-effect relationships, there are certain dietary habits that can have a major influence on your risk. For example, eating a traditional Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats like olive oil can lower your risk for a variety of common cancers, including breast cancer. The choices you make at the Fat burner for overall health store have Fueling the body for intense training Heavenly Orange Aroma impact than just your preventiln plans. Precention your anf with foods that are grown in the ground Methods for controlling blood glucose be the best diet for cancer prevention. An estimated 1. inaccording to the American Cancer Society. Many cancers can take 10 or more years to develop, so everyday nutrition choices are crucial in cancer prevention. Plant-based diets are full of fruits, vegetables and legumes, with little or no meat or other animal products. In research studies, vegans, people who don't eat any animal products, including fish, dairy or eggs, appeared to have the lowest rates of cancer of any diet.