1. Nutrition Topics in Lung Cancer
Tammy Ward RD, CSO, LD
Clinical Dietitian, Specialist in Oncology Nutrition

3. WCRF/AICR CUP (Continuous Update Project) 2017 http://dietandcancerreport.org/
Increased Risk:
There is some evidence that consuming red meat, processed meat and alcoholic drinks increases the risk of lung cancer
Red meat = 18 ounces per week total of beef, pork, and lamb
Processed meats = bacon, sausage, ham, deli meat
Alcohol – 1 drink/day for women, 2 drinks/day for men. Definition of “drink” = 5 oz glass of wine, 12 oz beer, or 1.5 oz liquor
Decreased Risk:
In current and former smokers, consuming vegetables and fruit decreases the risk of lung cancer
Eat the rainbow!

4. WCRF/AICR CUP (Continuous Update Project) 2017
Decreased Risk:
There is some evidence that consuming foods containing retinol, beta- carotene or carotenoids decreases the risk of lung cancer.
Vitamin A (retinol)
Found in primarily animal foods such as liver, whole milk dairy, and fish (tuna, sardines, and herring)
Carotenoids (precursors of vitamin A):
Over 600 vitamin-like pigments found in many fruits and vegetables, especially those with red, orange, yellow and green.
Carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, spinach, broccoli, kale
Fat soluble vitamin A: improved absorption when consumed with some form of fat in the meal
In current smokers, consuming foods containing vitamin C decreases the risk of lung cancer.
In people who have never smoked, consuming foods containing isoflavones (constituent of plants with estrogen-like properties) decreases the risk of lung cancer.
Whole soy

7. What should I eat if I have lung cancer?
ACS/AICR recommendation for individuals is to follow prevention guidelines into survivorship, which begins at time of diagnosis.
It is important to maintain your weight during active treatment
Nutrient dense foods such as eggs, meats, fish, dairy, fruits and vegetables
Make each bite count – avoid processed snacks and concentrated sweets which provide very little nutrition, just calories
Some may find they need to eat smaller portions, but eat more frequently
Work with your health care provider(s) to address any treatment-related side effect that poses a barrier to eating, drinking and maintaining your weight.
Appropriate medication management
Foods/beverages specific to your current symptoms

8. Myths and Facts Behind Vitamins/Supplements
Myth: Multi-vitamins can be taken to make up for a poor diet and/or prevent disease
Truth: Conflicting studies. Most scientists and healthcare providers agree it is best to get all of your nutrients through food.
Myth: You can’t take too many vitamins
Fact: Excess can occur easily and cause damaging toxicity or increase risk of developing cancer. 1,2
Myth: Supplements are always unnecessary
Truth: Calorie-restricted diets, otherwise restrictive diets, pregnancy, documented deficiency
The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers. N Engl J Med. 1994;330(15): doi:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “Long-Term Use Of Nutrient Supplements May Increase Cancer Risk.” Science Daily. ScienceDaily, 4 March <

9. Myth: Supplements are fine to take with other medications
Fact: Vitamin K, omega-3s, Green tea, vitamin C
Myth: Regulations ensure supplements are safe
Truth: FDA considers supplements safe until proven unsafe
Natural Products Association (NPA)
Consumer Labs seal (CL)
USP Dietary Supplement Verification Program
National Safety Foundation (NSF)

10. Credible information:
Free sites
Office of Dietary Supplements
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
PubMed
Linus Pauling Institute – Micronutrient Research Center
Subscription sites
Natural Medicines Database (merger between Natural Standard and Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database)
Consumer Lab
Always tell your healthcare team if you are taking any dietary or herbal supplements!

11. 3. Bizzarocomics.com

12. Thank you!