Table 11: Summary of strength of evidence on lifestyle factors and the risk of developing cancer
|
Evidence
|
Decreased risk
|
Increased risk
|
a The "convincing" and "probable" categories in this report correspond to
the "sufficient" category of the IARC report on weight control and physical activity
(4) in terms of the public health and policy implications.
b For colorectal cancer, a protective effect of fruit and vegetable
intake has been suggested by many case-control studies but this has not been
supported by results of several large prospective studies, suggesting that if a
benefit does exist it is likely to be modest.
|
|
Convincinga
|
Physical activity (colon) |
Overweight and obesity (oesophagus, colorectum, breast in postmenopausal women,
endometrium, kidney)
Alcohol (oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus,
liver, breast)
Aflatoxin (liver)
Chinese-style salted fish
(nasopharynx) |
|
Probablea
|
Fruits and vegetables (oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach,
colorectumb)
Physical activity (breast) |
Preserved meat (colorectum)
Salt-preserved foods and salt
(stomach)
Very hot (thermally) drinks and food (oral cavity, pharynx,
oesophagus) |
|
Possible/insufficient
|
Fibre
Soya
Fish
n-3 Fatty
acids
Carotenoids
Vitamins B2, B6, folate,
B12, C, D, E
Calcium, zinc and
selenium
Non-nutrient plant constituents (e.g. allium compounds,
flavonoids, isoflavones, lignans) |
Animal fats
Heterocyclic amines
Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons
Nitrosamines |
Source: WHO/FAO "Diet, Nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases"
Section 5.5.4 Strength of evidence 
Related publication:
Other Figures & Tables on this publication:
Table 1: Global and regional per capita food consumption (kcal per capita per day)
Table 2. Vegetable and animal sources of energy in the diet (kcal per capita per day)
Table 3: Vegetable and animal sources of energy in the diet (kcal per capita per day)
Supply of fat (g per capita per day)
Table 4. Per capita consumption of livestock products
Table 6. Ranges of population nutrient intake goals
Table 7: Summary of strength of evidence on factors that might promote or
protect against weight gain and obesitya
Table 8: Classification of overweight in adults according to BMIa
Table 9: Summary of strength of evidence on lifestyle factors and risk of developing
type 2 diabetes
Table 10: Summary of strength of evidence on lifestyle factors and risk of developing
cardiovascular diseases
Table 11: Summary of strength of evidence on lifestyle factors and the risk of developing cancer
Table 12: Trends in levels of dental caries in 12-year-olds mean [number of] delayed, missing, filled permanent teeth (DMFT) per person aged 12 years [as a result of carries]
Table 13: Prevalence of toothlessness (edentulousness) in older people throughout the world
Table 14: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to dental caries
Table 15: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to dental erosion
Table 16: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to enamel developmental defects
Table 17: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to periodontal disease
Table 18: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to osteoporotic fractures
Figure 3: Trends in the supply of vegetables, by region, 1970-2000
Figure 4: Ranges of population nutrient intake goals
Figure 2. Calories from major commodities in developing countries
Comment
Degrees of evidence by the Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation
