Diet and cancer - some results from Singapore

The notion that diet has an aetiological role in cancer is generally accepted, although the actual agents and mechanisms are still subjects of much research. A major problem in this work is the lack of effective instruments in determining dietary exposures. The wide margin given as the likely population attributable risk (10-70%) is an indication of the relative imprecision of our state of knowledge at this moment. In Singapore, digestive tract cancers account for about 30% of all cancers in males and 24% in fem les. In addition, other cancers that have a strong dietary link include lung (24% males, 10% females), liver (9% males, 4% females), nasopharynx (7% males, 4% females), female breast (17%) and prostate (3%). Therefore, this is a very important subject for continued study in view of the preventive potential. Based on recent studies conducted in Singapore, a review is provided of factors associated with colorectal and breast cancers. The main thrust of our findings point to the rob of me t s ~ predisposing factor and vegetables/fruits as protective foods. Possible agents and mechanisms of action will be discussed.