title: Food and cancer: cause and effect?
abstract: The occurrence of cancer involves the effects of two types of agents: those that alter the genetic material to give rise to neoplasms and others that modulate tumor development through epigenetic effects. In the etiology of some of the major cancers in the North American population--cancers of the upper alimentary tract, stomach, large bowel, pancreas, breast, and prostate--food can contribute elements of both types. Thus, dietary modification has the potential both to prevent the occurrence of cancers at these sites and to control recurrences in treated patients.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009153:Mutagens; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009153:Mutagens