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Dietary Changes Can Prevent Cancer

reprinted from JAMA, November 26, 1997

A major report on the relationship between nutrition and the development of cancer concludes that 3 million to 4 million cases of cancer per year could be prevented by appropriate diet and such lifestyle changes as reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption.  The 670-page report, Food, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective, is the result of 3 years of work by a panel of more than 150 scientists who reviewed and evaluated 4500 research studies.

The document was prepared with the support of the American Institute for Cancer Research, Washington, DC and the World Cancer Research Fund, London.  Both seek to increase knowledge about the role of nutrition in the prevention of cancer.

The report is probably the most comprehensive review and evaluation of scientific evidence on diet and cancer since the National Academy of Sciences' 1982 report, Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer. "The scientists considered the published evidence on nutrition, food preparation, diet patterns, and related factors with the risk of cancer worldwide." said John Potter, Ph.D..  Potter is director of the Cancer Prevention Research Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, and was chair of the 15 member panel that prepared the report.

While the report is derived from scientific data and consideration of the evidence, with care being taken to make the arguments and conclusions as clear as possible, it is not intended just for the academic or scientific community. It contains useful advice for everyone. There are 14 dietary recommendations that, to quote the report, "are most likely to prevent cancer and are consistent with the prevention of other diseases."

But the report is aimed primarily at policy and opinion makers worldwide.  "It is not so much a work of reference as a catalyst for change."  Potter emphasized.  "It considers the feasibility and policy implications of the recommendations.  This is the key message."

In 1996, more than 10 million people in the world developed some form of cancer, and at least 6 million died of the disease.  In the next 15 to 20 years this figure will more than double, from 2.65 million deaths from cancer in 1985 to 6.69 by 2015.  "Very shortly,(developing) countries are going to be spending their entire health budgets just to treat cancer." Potter said.  He stresses: "The important message is that cancer is preventable, and we need to take steps to prevent it both here and in the developing world."  The report can be obtained for $69.95 from the AICR, 1759 R St. NW, Washington, DC  20009.

by Charles Marwick