Does high intake of fruit and vegetables improve lung cancer survival?

Unveiling the Effects of Cruciferous Vegetable Intake on Different Cancers: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Epidemiological studies indicated that cruciferous vegetable intake is associated with positive health outcomes. However, the role of cruciferous vegetables may have differential impacts on various cancers.

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aims to review recent epidemiological studies on the link between cruciferous vegetables and various cancers. It seeks to identify the optimal intake dose and timing of cruciferous vegetables influencing their association with cancer risk.

DATA SOURCES

Studies on cruciferous vegetables and cancer were searched in PubMed, NCBI, Web of Science, and Elsevier databases from 1978 to June 2023.

DATA EXTRACTION

Extracted data from 226 relevant case-control and cohort studies were expressed by standardized mean difference and 95% CI, followed by the subgroup analysis to eliminate heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Intake of cruciferous vegetables can prevent cancers, with an odds ratio of 0.77 and risk ratio (RR) of 0.96. The intake levels of cruciferous vegetables associated with the risk of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, upper gastrointestinal cancer, gynecological cancer (ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer), bladder cancer, renal cancer, and prostate cancer were found to be 5.41 servings/week, 5.41 servings/week, 5.5 servings/week, 7.4 servings/week, 5.5 servings/week, 4.85 servings/week, and 3 servings/week, respectively. In a cohort followed for 2 to 15 years, limited consumption of cruciferous vegetables was correlated with a higher cancer RR. In the Asian population, cruciferous vegetables had a significant relationship with lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and esophageal cancer. Conversely, cruciferous vegetables are predominantly associated with colorectal, renal, gynecological, and prostate cancer in the American population.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the complex link between cruciferous vegetables and cancer, influenced by factors such as cancer type, region, intake level, and follow-up duration.

Vegetable and Fruit Consumption and Prognosis Among Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

The number of cancer survivors is growing rapidly worldwide, especially long-term survivors. Although a healthy diet with a high vegetable and fruit consumption is a key factor in primary cancer prevention, there is a lack of specific dietary recommendations for cancer survivors, except in the case of breast cancer [World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) report]. We have therefore carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies reporting on the associations between vegetable and fruit intake with cancer recurrence and mortality and all-cause mortality in cancer patients. After a comprehensive search of PubMed and Scopus databases, the results of 28 selected articles were analyzed. A high vegetable intake before diagnosis was inversely associated with overall mortality in survivors of head and neck (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.87) and ovarian cancer (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.91). In ovarian cancer patients, prediagnosis fruit intake was also inversely associated with all-cause mortality (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.96). The evidence was insufficient for survivors of other cancers, although these associations generally tended to be protective. Therefore, more studies are needed to clarify the association between vegetable and fruit consumption and the prognosis of these different types of cancer. To date, the general recommendation to consume ≥5 servings of vegetables and fruit per day (∼400 g/d) could underestimate the needs of cancer survivors, particularly those with ovarian tumors, in which the recommendation could increase to ∼600 g/d (i.e., 300 g/d of vegetables and 300 g/d of fruit).

Potato consumption and risk of all cause, cancer and cardiovascular mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was conducted to examine the association of potato consumption and risk of all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular mortality in adults. We searched PubMed, Scopus databases up to September 2018 for all relevant published papers. All analyses were performed on HRs or RRs and 95% CIs. In twenty prospective studies, 25,208 cases were reported for all-cause mortality, 4877 for cancer mortality and 2366 for CVD mortality. No significant association was found between potato consumption and risk of all-cause (0.90; 95% CI: 0.8, 1.02, p = 0.096) and cancer (1.09; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.24, P = 0.204) mortality. In addition, no significant linear association was found between each 100 g/d increments in potato consumption and risk of all-cause (P = 0.7) and cancer (P = 0.09) mortality. Moreover, nonlinear association between potato consumption and risk of cancer mortality was non-significant (P-nonlinearity = 0.99). In addition, two of three studies which examined the association of potato consumption with CVD mortality did not find any significant relationship. There was no evidence for publication bias in this study. We failed to find significant association between potato consumption and risk of mortality. Further studies are required to confirm this issue.

Prognostic value of alcohol consumption and some other dietary habits for survival in a cohort of Chinese men with lung cancer

Background

Alcohol consumption and some other dietary habits are thought to be associated with lung cancer incidence. However, the effects of these habits on lung cancer prognosis have been studied rarely. The purpose of this study was to address these gaps in knowledge.

Methods

We studied a cohort of 1052 Chinese men in Hong Kong who were diagnosed with primary lung cancer. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the prognostic values of consumption of alcohol, fresh fruits or vegetables, meat, and fried or preserved food.

Results

Compared with never drinkers, men who drank alcohol 1–3 days per week had a more favorable lung cancer prognosis (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68–0.97); however, this survival advantage was not significant in men who drank alcohol more frequently (HR: 0.91, 95% CI 0.73–1.14). Compared with men who consumed preserved or fried food only occasionally, men who consumed these foods frequently had a higher risk of lung cancer mortality (HR: 1.20, 95% CI 1.00–1.42).

Conclusions

Occasional consumption of alcohol was a favorable survival factor for Chinese men with lung cancer. However, this survival benefit did not exist for frequent drinkers of alcohol. Chinese men with lung cancer who were frequent consumers of fried or preserved food had a worse prognosis than those who consumed these foods only occasionally.

Nutrition and lung cancer: a case control study in Iran

BACKGROUND

Despite many prospective and retrospective studies about the association of dietary habit and lung cancer, the topic still remains controversial. So, this study aims to investigate the association of lung cancer with dietary factors.

METHOD

In this study 242 lung cancer patients and their 484 matched controls on age, sex, and place of residence were enrolled between October 2002 to 2005. Trained physicians interviewed all participants with standardized questionnaires. The middle and upper third consumer groups were compared to the lower third according to the distribution in controls unless the linear trend was significant across exposure groups.

RESULT

Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association with lung cancer. In a multivariate analysis fruit (Ptrend < 0.0001), vegetable (P = 0.001) and sunflower oil (P = 0.006) remained as protective factors and rice (P = 0.008), bread (Ptrend = 0.04), liver (P = 0.004), butter (Ptrend = 0.04), white cheese (Ptrend < 0.0001), beef (Ptrend = 0.005), vegetable ghee (P < 0.0001) and, animal ghee (P = 0.015) remained as risk factors of lung cancer. Generally, we found positive trend between consumption of beef (P = 0.002), bread (P < 0.0001), and dairy products (P < 0.0001) with lung cancer. In contrast, only fruits were inversely related to lung cancer (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

It seems that vegetables, fruits, and sunflower oil could be protective factors and bread, rice, beef, liver, dairy products, vegetable ghee, and animal ghee found to be possible risk factors for the development of lung cancer in Iran.

Tomato and tomato byproducts. Human health benefits of lycopene and its application to meat products: a review

During recent decades, the food industry, consumers, and regulatory authorities have developed a significant interest in functional foods because of their potential benefits for human health over and above their basic nutritional value. Tomato is the second most important vegetable crop in the world. The amount of the related wastes is estimated at up to 50,000 tons per year, representing a serious disposal problem with a consequent negative impact on the environment. Tomato byproducts contain a great variety of biologically active substances, principally lycopene, which have been demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies to possess antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and anticarcinogenic activities. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the functional and physiological properties of the principal bioactive compound present in tomato and tomato byproducts, lycopene, its addition to meat, and meat products.

Antioxidant activities of various extracts from Artemisisa selengensis Turcz (LuHao)

The antioxidant activities of the various extracts and fractions from the herbs of Artemisia selegensis Turcz (AST) were investigated by in vitro and in vivo assays. FRAP, DPPH and ABTS assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activities of the extracts/fractions in vitro. The effect of water extract (WE) in reducing oxidative stress in male mice was evaluated. Phenolic acid compounds contribute significantly to the antioxidant activity. From the results of three in vitro antioxidant assays, WE was found to have the highest antioxidant activity, and among the WE subfractions, the water soluble fraction has a significant antioxidant activity. The in vivo antioxidant assay results showed that high doses of WE significantly decrease the MDA level compared to normal diet and D-(+) galactose group (p < 0.05), and the SOD activity of mice given a high dose of WE was the highest. These in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the extracts, especially the WE from AST, have significant antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. In summary, we propose that AST could be potentially used as a rich source of natural antioxidants.

Do older people perceive cancer prevention and early detection to be worthwhile? Implications for prevention

Despite evidence that suggests modifying risk factors at any age can reduce the risk of cancer, many older people fail to take relevant preventive actions. The objectives of the project were to assess whether older people perceived taking actions to prevent cancers as worthwhile after the age of 60 years. Fifty men (19) and women (31) 60 years and older (mean age 68 years) participated in seven focus groups to assess their perceptions of preventive health actions and barriers and motivators in relation to cancer prevention. Most participants reported not adhering to preventive actions for cancer. Many did not perceive the benefits if the actions are initiated after the age of 60 years, and some risk factors were not perceived to be related to cancer. There was strong agreement that screening for cancer was worthwhile after the age of 60 years. It appears that awareness programs specifically tailored to seniors may be desirable to promote cancer prevention within a context of chronic disease prevention in general.

Nutrition and the cancer survivor: evidence to guide oncology nursing practice

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a systematic review of scientific reports related to diet and cancer survivorship published since the 2006 American Cancer Society's Guide for Informed Choices on Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment and to integrate these findings into a consistent message that can be delivered by nurses in hopes of improving the health and well-being of cancer survivors.

DATA SOURCES

Journal articles.

CONCLUSION

Cancer survivors represent a growing population at high risk for recurrence and other co-morbidities. Evidence continues to accumulate regarding the importance of weight management and a healthful diet (plant-based, low saturated fat) in improving the overall health and promoting disease-free and overall survival in this population.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Cancer survivors are eager for nutrition information and nurses are well-positioned to guide them regarding the importance of weight management and healthy food choices.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle among cancer survivors

With improving longevity, the late-occurring adverse effects of cancer and its treatment are becoming increasingly apparent. As in other clinical populations, healthy lifestyle behaviors encompassing weight management, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality significantly in cancer survivors. This article addresses the strength of evidence for recommendations in areas of weight management, diet, exercise, and smoking cessation; and the current evidence examining the efficacy of various intervention approaches to promote health behavior changes among adult cancer survivors.

Differences in overall mortality in the elderly may be explained by diet

BACKGROUND

Although a relationship between diet and mortality is well recognized, there is little information on the extent to which different food sources contribute to survival in elderly people.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of individual food groups on mortality in institutionalized elderly people from Asturias (Northern Spain) after 6 years of follow-up.

METHOD

The dietary intake of 288 elderly people aged 60-85 years was assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Age, gender, energy intake, chewing ability, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, physical activity, smoking habit, self-perceived health, education level and the institution from which participants were recruited were covariates in Cox regression models analyzing the effect of food on survival.

RESULTS

Fruit intake was found to be inversely associated with overall mortality. Multivariate adjusted mortality rate ratio (95% CI) per 1 SD increase in fruit intake was 0.714 (0.519-0.981). On the contrary, each 1 SD of potato intake led to a 32% higher risk of death (RR (95% CI) = 1.319 (1.033-1.685)).

CONCLUSION

A high intake of fruit late in life was associated with a longer survival. An inverse association between potato intake and survival was also observed, but further research is necessary before any firm conclusions about the possible harmful aspects of potato consumption can be drawn.

International comparisons of survival from lung cancer: pitfalls and warnings

Population-based survival data can provide valuable comparative data on outcome but should be interpreted with caution. Differences in data collection and analysis, patient and tumor characteristics and treatment options can have an impact on reported results. Ideally, data from the whole population, including clinical-only diagnoses, should be reported and the methods of case identification described. The relative survival rates should preferably be given. Data on patient characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation should be described, together with tumor details such as pathology and clinical stage. Whenever possible, details on the use of treatments should be reported.