The foods we eat can affect our risk for developing certain types of cancer. Obesity can increase the risk for some cancers, meaning that a varied diet of nutritious foods may help prevent cancer.
It is estimated that about 30% of the risk for cancer can be attributed to diet, which is just below tobacco smoke and far, far above any other known risk factor.
As health care providers, helping patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight is important to reduce the risk for cancer and other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. Some of the most important cancers, including those