Diet and skin cancer

Skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell cancer, and squamous cell cancer, are the most common of all cancers. New research suggests that diet may play a role in the development of at least one kind of skin cancer, squamous cell cancer. Each year, between 200,000 and 300,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with this cancer, and the incidence rate is rising. Researchers in Australia studied more than 1,000 adults over an 11-year period to see which factors were associated with skin cancer. Even when factors like sun exposure and skin color were taken into account, people who ate a lot of red or processed meat and high-fat dairy products had a greater risk of developing squamous cell cancer. This was especially true for people who had already had skin cancer. Those eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and having a lower fat diet had a 54 percent lower risk of developing squamous cell cancer. Of course, the most important way to reduce risk of skin cancer is to avoid excess sun exposure and to use sunscreen. Eating generous amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can also reduce your risk.

Ibiebele TI, van der Pols JC, Hughes MC, et al. 2007. Dietary pattern in association with squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: a prospective study. Am J Clin Nutr 85:1401-1408.