An oncology dietitian has made a bold claim about how diet can impact cancer risk.
Nichole, who goes by oncology.nutrition.rd on TikTok, shared insights in a video that’s been catching attention online. She often receives questions about which foods “increase” cancer risk, and her response is straightforward.
She explained: “As a cancer dietitian I am here to tell you some great news – only two foods actually increase risk of cancer at any consumption. Alcohol increases risk of six different cancers, and number two is processed meat.
“So, any of those pre-cooked meats at the store like hotdogs, sausage, bacon, deli meats – those increase risk of colon cancer.”
Nichole believes there is a lot of misinformation about cancer risk. While there are lots of claims that certain foods can increase your chances of developing the deadly disease, these warnings aren’t always backed up by scientific studies.
It’s widely acknowledged that alcohol can heighten the risk of developing cancers in the mouth, throat, voice box, oesophagus, colon, rectum, liver and breast. Research indicates that it can cause errors in DNA, known as point mutations, which can lead to cancer.
Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that processed meats can also impact your health. Studies have demonstrated that people have a higher risk of cancer if they consume larger amounts of processed meat.
For instance, one study discovered that consuming 50g of processed meat daily could increase the risk of colorectal cancer by approximately 18%. Moreover, processed meats contain chemicals that can damage cells in the colon and rectum, thereby increasing the risk of cancer over time.
Since posting, Nichole’s video has racked up hundreds of views and sparked a conversation among viewers. One person revealed: “I had bowel cancer. I cut all processed and red meat.”
Another expressed gratitude, saying: “Thank you for this.” Meanwhile, another added: “I am a two-time cancer survivor. I am incredibly healthy. Used to be vegetarian. Good luck everyone.”
What causes cancer?
While the specific cause of cancer remains unknown, the NHS suggests that a combination of genes, lifestyle and environment can elevate a person’s risk of developing the disease. Some of these factors include:
- Age – the risk of cancer increases with age
- Smoking and tobacco
- Obesity and weight
- Sun and UV
- Alcohol – it’s thought drinking more than one drink a day for women, and up to two drinks a day for men, can increase your risk of cancer
- Air pollution and radon – radon is a natural radioactive gas that can damage the lungs and cause cancer
- Inherited cancer genes
- Infections – there are some infections, such as HPV, that can increase your risk of cancer