Dietary Pattern for Cancer Risk Reduction: Evidence-Based Recommendations

Extensive epidemiological and mechanistic evidence supports a dietary pattern emphasizing:

• High intake of: Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds.
• Moderate intake of: Fish, poultry, dairy, eggs.
• Low intake of: Processed meats (Group 1 carcinogen), red meat (Group 2A), sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, ultra-processed foods, alcohol.

Key Mechanisms

• Fiber → SCFA production, reduced colonic transit time, estrogen excretion.
• Phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids, glucosinolates) → antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, epigenetic modulation.
• Weight management → reduced obesity-related inflammation, insulin/IGF-1 signaling.
• Alcohol avoidance → reduced acetaldehyde, hormonal effects.

Major Guidelines Align

WCRF/AICR, ACS, WHO, Dietary Guidelines for Americans all endorse this plant-predominant pattern.