By Dr. Kathleen Regan, NDI have always been intrigued by the connection between cancer and nutrition. I have written many articles on diet and health but have rarely focused on the relationship between food and cancer. It is certainly something I think about and talk about to patients in the context of prevention and adopting an anti-inflammatory diet.Recently, I have been affected personally by a number of cancer diagnoses in my own family where there was no prior family history. This has driven me to delve deeper into the connection between diet and cancer. The rising number of cancer cases worldwide is alarming, with the World Health Organization (WHO) predicting a 70% increase in new cancer cases over the next 20 years (1).Our modern lifestyle, including the chemicals we are exposed to and consume, farming practices, and environmental management, significantly influences our global cancer risk. Additionally, as our population ages, cancer, which can be an age-related disease, becomes more prevalent. Our immune system is a crucial defence against cancer, yet many contemporary practices weaken this vital system. Listing all potential cancer-causing elements in our environment can be overwhelming.This is why I like talking about lifestyle and nutrition. You can modify your habits (with a little support) and you can control your own kitchen. Positive change starts at home and nutrition is an impactful, empowering place to begin.So, what are the facts? An estimated one-third to one-half of cancers could be prevented by healthy lifestyle choices such as eliminating tobacco use, maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI), maintaining an active lifestyle, increasing fruit, vegetable and fibre consumption and moderating alcohol consumption (2,3).Tobacco Use:Smokers have an estimated 25-fold risk of developing lung cancer as compared with [...]