Stay up to date on the latest science with Brush Up Summaries.
Scientists have reported an association between nutrition and cancer for decades, attributing roughly 4 to 5 percent of cancer cases annually to poor diet. However, due to limitations in study design and assessment methods, and the heterogeneous nature of cancer pathophysiology, it is complicated for researchers to consistently determine the precise link between dietary factors and cancer risk.1,2
Randomized controlled trials of individual nutrients, foods, or food groups are often inconclusive or in contrast with observational studies. Still, epidemiological evidence suggests that diet affects cancer risk and mortality. As a result, scientists focus on studying overall dietary behaviors as risk factors for cancer. This is more reflective of how people eat: in general, individuals’ dietary patterns are not comprised of isolated nutrients or foods, but rather entire meals made up of a variety of foodstuffs. Although the connection ...
