2026-10-30
Worried About Cancer? Key Foods to Keep Close and Eat Regularly
This article explains the main causes of cancer and introduces foods such as carrots, apples, berries, and fatty fish that research links to cancer prevention.
Cancer develops when DNA changes build up in the body's cells, causing them to lose normal growth control and multiply uncontrollably.
Most cancers are not caused by a single factor. Instead, they result from several factors acting together over a long period of time.
What causes cancer?
The main causes of cancer include the accumulation of gene mutations, aging, smoking, alcohol consumption, infections, radiation and ultraviolet exposure, and genetic factors.
Lifestyle factors also have a major impact, including obesity, lack of physical activity, insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables, and excessive consumption of processed meat.
Experts explain that “cancer is a disease in which accumulated DNA damage breaks down the cell's growth control.”
They add that it “develops from the combined effects of various factors, including aging, lifestyle habits, the environment, infections, and genetics.”
Carrots contain essential nutrients such as vitamins A and K, as well as antioxidants.
They are also rich in beta-carotene. A study of about 55,000 people that examined the link between carrot intake and cancer incidence found that eating raw carrots could lower the risk of colorectal cancer by 17%. Carrots were also found to be effective in helping prevent lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia.
Apples contain polyphenols, compounds with anticancer properties, and are considered a cancer-preventive food.
Polyphenols are plant compounds that help prevent inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and infections.
Studies show that phloretin, found in apples, significantly inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells without affecting healthy cells.
Berries are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
Research suggests that berries can inhibit tumor formation and cancer growth in the digestive tract.
Berries may also help slow cancer progression and support immunotherapy for cancer treatment.
Fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamin B, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
A meta-analysis found that omega-3 fatty acids extracted from fish showed a protective effect against breast cancer.
Another meta-analysis also found that fish consumption is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
Source: Kormedi.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes cancer?
Cancer develops when DNA changes build up in a cell, causing it to lose control over growth and multiply continuously. According to the article, the main causes include gene mutations, aging, smoking, alcohol consumption, infections, radiation and ultraviolet exposure, and genetic factors. In most cases, cancer results from several factors acting together over a long period.
Can eating certain foods alone prevent cancer?
No. The article does not claim that any single food can prevent cancer. Most cancers arise from several factors acting together over a long time. In addition to causes such as smoking and drinking, the article notes that lifestyle factors, including obesity, lack of physical activity, insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, and excessive consumption of processed meat, have a major influence.
Is eating raw carrots linked to colorectal cancer risk?
Yes. According to research findings, eating raw carrots could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 17%. This is based on a study of about 55,000 people that examined the link between carrot intake and cancer incidence. The article also notes that carrots are rich in vitamins A and K, antioxidants, and beta-carotene.
How is apple polyphenol related to cancer?
Apple polyphenols are described as compounds with anticancer properties, and apples are considered a cancer-preventive food. In one study, phloretin in apples significantly inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells without affecting healthy cells.
Are fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel related to cancer?
Yes. The article cites related meta-analyses. Omega-3 fatty acids extracted from fish showed a protective effect against breast cancer, and fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. The article explains that fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel are rich in vitamin B, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Do berries inhibit cancer growth?
Yes. According to research, berries can inhibit tumor formation and cancer growth in the digestive tract. The article also notes that berries may help slow cancer progression and support immunotherapy for cancer treatment, but it does not recommend any specific treatment method.