Anticancer Res. 2012 Oct;32(10):4171-92.
Nutrition in adult and childhood cancer: role of carcinogens and anti-carcinogens.
Mosby TT, Cosgrove M, Sarkardei S, Platt KL, Kaina B.
Source
St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN
38105-3678, USA. terezie.mosby@stjude.org
Abstract
There is no doubt that diet is one of the main modifiable risk factors for many
degenerative diseases, including cancer. More than 30% of adult cancers can be
prevented or delayed by diet, being physically active and having a healthy body
weight. Plant-based foods, including fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, a
favorable omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio, and fish
consumption have a protective effect against cancer. On the contrary, a low
intake of fruit and vegetables, high intake of red and processed meat, high
intake of sodium, alcohol consumption, a diet rich in refined carbohydrates, and
a high intake of total fat may increase risk of cancer. Furthermore, calorie
restriction and having a body/mass index on the lower end of the normal range
can significantly decrease or delay the onset of cancers. Most studies were
performed on adults and thus the role of diet in childhood cancer is less
well-understood. In the past, diet was not considered to play any role in its
etiology in children. However, nowadays there is a growing body of evidence that
prolonged and frequent breastfeeding, the maternal diet during pregnancy and
vitamin intake during pregnancy, may impart benefit for reduced cancer risk in
children. Usually, decades of healthy dietary habits are needed to see
significant difference in cancer risk. Therefore, diet choices and diet
preparation starting early in life deserve more attention. Here we review data
focusing on which dietary factors, including food-borne carcinogens, affect the
onset of cancers in adults and stress out the potential role of diet in
childhood cancer prevention.
PMID: 23060538 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]