Food in the aetiology of cancer

During recent years much evidence has accumulated indicating that diet and nutrition may be important in the aetiology of human cancer. This paper discusses some of the components of diet that have been implicated as both causative and protective agents. Total calorie intake and overnutrition have been associated with breast and uterine cancers, high fat intake with cancer of the breast and large bowel and nitrates with gastric cancer. High fibre intakes are suggested to protect against colo-rectal cancer, and vitamin A, selenium and vitamin E have been inversely associated with various cancers.