Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer

Abstract: Recommendations for future research related to dietary components and nutritional factors and the incidence of cancer are presented in this report by the Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer appointed by the Commission on Life Sciences of the National Research Council. The report represents input from prominent researchers working in a variety of disciplines related to diet, nutrition, and cancer. A comprehensive assessment of the literature, done as part of an earlier report by the Committee, served as the primary guide for identification of needed research. Seven strategic objectives that the Committee felt should apply to all diet and cancer research are outlined, along with general recommendations applicable to each. Methodological shortcomings that interfere with the comparison and interpretation of data from both epidemiological and laboratory studies are discussed. Recommendations are made for epidemiological methods used in diet and cancer studies, and analysis of data. Recommendations about laboratory methods cover initiators and modifiers of carcinogenesis, the effects of nutrients on carcinogenesis, and markers related to neoplasia in humans. Macroconstituents for which specific research recommendations are made include, fats, protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, alcohol, and total calories. Microconstituents include selected vitamins and minerals (i.e. vitamin A and carotenes, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium), nonnutritive inhibitors of carcinogenesis, and food additives, contaminants, carcinogens, and mutagens. The application of knowledge about diet and cancer in the development of public health programs aimed at modifying behavior to reduce cancer incidenee is examined. (aje).