Association of various dietary habits and risk of lung cancer: an updated comprehensive literature review

Abstract

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women worldwide. Tobacco smoking remains the single most important factor. Recent research has focused on the role of nutrition and dietary habits on lung tumorigenesis. With many individual reports on separate dietary aspects, no single review is available in the literature that summarizes the updated studies. To our knowledge, this is the first review that comprehensively reviews the updated literature on the effect of dietary habits on lung cancer. This review was concluded in February 2019 and included all meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and literature reviews. Thirty studies were retrieved in total. Items in the diet that offer a protective effect on lung parenchyma are fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, soy, B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, and zinc. Changing dietary habits to decrease the risk of lung cancer can be performed in parallel with smoking cessation programs. There is a need for future studies with large sample sizes to accurately evaluate some aspects of nutrition and their effect on lung cancer risk. Physicians are encouraged to provide nutritional advice to their patients.

Lung cancer among women — identifying risk factors

“…In an updated comprehensive literature review based on 58 articles, Fakhri et al summarized information about diet and its potential influence on lung cancer. A higher risk of lung cancer could be linked to red meat, processed meat, and foods high in total or saturated fats [50]. Some observations present the protective effect on lung parenchyma of some items in the diets like fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, soy, B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, and zinc.…”

Risk of lung cancer among women in relation to lifetime history of tobacco smoking: A population-based case-control study in France (the WELCA study)

“…These percentages were similar to those reported by controls in our study and were reassuring on the representativeness of the control group (22.5% current smokers with an average daily consumption of 12.5 cigarettes, 32.5% former smokers and 45% never smokers). Finally, we did not consider possible confounders in the analysis such as occupational exposures [47][48][49], diet [50,51], or exposure to domestic fuel or cooking oil fumes [52], but a strong confounding effect is very unlikely.…”

“…Finally, we did not consider possible confounders in the analysis such as occupational exposures [47][48][49], diet [50,51], or exposure to domestic fuel or cooking oil fumes [52], but a strong confounding effect is very unlikely.…”

Glycemic index, glycemic load, and lung cancer risk: A meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies

“…Evidence suggests that dietary habits play an important role in altering lung cancer risk. Studies have found that fruits, vegetables, fish, and dairy products may be associated with lung cancer risk [ 4 ]. Moreover, investigations have focused on diet, carbohydrates, and their impacts on human health for years [ 5 , 6 ].…”