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 
|
