As data is accumulated life-style characteristics are shown to be major determinates of cancer risk in humans. Of these, diet is the most ubiquitous. Food constituents have been identified which can cause or enhance the likelihood of cancer and, conversely, protect against it. Such data encourage the hope that a full understanding of the impact of dietary constituents on carcinogenesis will lead to important means of cancer control. This international symposium coincided with an increasing awareness of the major impact diet can have on the occurrence of cancer, and at a time when the evaluation of existing data was critical for developing approaches to a complicated and important area of cancer research. The participating scientists represented a variety of disciplines ranging from epidemiology to molecular biology and the papers cover a diversity of subjects to provide a valuable state-of-the-art review of this topic. The presentations give rise to a sense of cautious optimism that future productive research on the relationship between diet, nutrition and cancer is feasible, and could result in the development of useful strategies for cancer prevention.

Based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence, this book provides the most authoritative assessment yet of the relationship between dietary and nutritional factors and the incidence of cancer. It provides interim dietary guidelines that are likely to reduce the risk of cancer as well as ensure good nutrition.

These two volumes bring together a wide variety of studies concerning the role nutrition plays in the etiology of various types of cancer, namely, cancer of the esophagus, upper alimentary tract, pancreas, liver, colon, breast, and prostate. The purpose of each chapter is to provide a critical interpretive review of the area, to identify gaps and inconsistencies in present knowledge, and to suggest new areas for future research.

Abstract: A 2-volume reference set for nutrition and cancer research scientists, including epidemiologists, clinicians, and experimentalists, summarizes and discusses a wide variety of studies concerning the role of nutrition in the etiology of various types of cancer, highlighting the potential and limitations of epidemiology, clinical, and experimental studies. The first volume addresses the affects of macronutrients in cancer etiology and treatment, covering various specific cancers (gastric; pancreas; large bowel; colon; breast; prostate), including the role of dietary fat, essential fatty acids, prostaglandins, and fiber. The role of dietary fat in cancer risk also is reviewed. The second volume covers the role of micronutrients and nonnutritive dietary factors in several types of cancer (breast; esophagus), including retinoids, selenium, and other factors. Special attention also is given to cancer chemoprevention, fermented milk products as cancer inhibitors, the role of food mutagens and carcinogens, nitrosamines in foods, and the effects of alcohol consumption. The 19 review articles comprising this 2-volume set were prepared by experts in their fields.

Cancer is a major global public health problem. Among different environmental and lifestyle factors contributing to cancer risk, diet is a key one. On the one hand, obesity and increased consumption of red and processed meat, ethanol, sugar and saturated fatty acids are associated with increased cancer risk. On the other hand, consumption of micronutrients such as vitamin D, selenium, zinc, folate and bioactive compounds from fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk. Written by an influential, international team of experts, this book presents and discusses current topics on nutrition and cancer prevention. It covers both nutritional influences on different cancers plus specific chapters on the commonly occurring cancers. Nutritional genomics-based studies show that some dietary components modulate carcinogenesis through complex cellular and molecular mechanisms. A better understanding of these different cellular and molecular mechanisms is needed to establish efficient dietary recommendations for cancer prevention. This book will provide such an understanding, serving as an important book for all those working in nutritional health, food science and cancer research.

This book comprises proceedings from the Third International Conference on Advances in Nutrition and Cancer, held in Naples in May 2012. This highly multidisciplinary meeting analyzed “nutrition and cancer” from different perspectives and on the basis of distinct and up-to-date experimental approaches. Knowledge on the relation between lifestyle, diet, and cancer is explored in a number of contributions, and the role of dietary intervention in cancer patients is discussed. Issues of vital interest to the research community, such as epidemiological and experimental oncology (genetics, epigenetics, and the mechanisms of action of natural compounds in the diet), receive detailed consideration. A further key topic is the emerging molecular technologies (the “omics”) that can cast light on the interplay between nutrition and human malignancies. Chapters take the form of reviews that include sections presenting expert opinions.