Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Linked to Reduced Cancer Risk in Europe

A recent study published in the European Journal of Cancer analyzed the potential impact of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption on cancer incidence in five European countries. The research team found that achieving the recommended daily intake of 500 grams of fruits and vegetables could prevent approximately 398 cases of cancer in these countries by 2050. The study also predicted that Sweden would benefit the most from such an intervention, with a 2% reduction in expected cancer cases.

Key Takeaways:

• Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to 500 grams per day could prevent approximately 398 cancer cases in France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden by 2050.
• The largest absolute impact of this intervention would be observed for lung cancer, with 257 preventable cases.
• Sweden would benefit the most from increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, with a predicted 2% reduction in expected cancer cases.
• The study used the PREVENT 3.01 model to predict cancer incidence and found that health impact assessment tools like PREVENT can provide a basis for decision-making in chronic disease prevention.
• The study analyzed data from observational European studies to quantify the association between fruit and vegetable intake and cancer risk.
• The researchers concluded that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption would have a small impact on reducing the burden of cancer in Europe.

Statistics:

• 212,000 predicted fruit-and-vegetable-related cancer cases in the five countries by 2050
• 398 predicted preventable cancer cases if the 500 g/d fruit and vegetable intake is achieved
• 257 preventable lung cancer cases if the intervention is successfully implemented
• 2% predicted reduction in expected cancer cases in Sweden
• 500 grams recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables

Sources:

• Soerjomataram et al. (2010). Increased consumption of fruit and vegetables and future cancer incidence in selected European countries. European Journal of Cancer, 46(14), 2563-80.
• Cancer Weekly editors (2010). Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Linked to Reduced Cancer Risk in Europe. Cancer Weekly, [no date].