Can Certain Foods Cause Lung Cancer?

Can Certain Foods Cause Lung Cancer? New Study Suggests They Can

Scientists are discovering new links between what we eat and our long-term lung health. A new study featured by CNN reveals that eating ultra-processed foods may increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Data shows up to a 41% greater risk of lung cancer for those with the highest intake, even when factors like smoking were considered.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, claiming more lives each year than the next three most common cancers combined. With about 1 in every 17 men and 1 in every 18 women developing lung cancer, awareness is vital to understand your lung health and attack the issue early on should it occur. At Arizona Diagnostic Radiology, we’re committed to providing patients all the information and resources they need to navigate their lung health in a stress-free way.

Ultra-Processed Foods: The Hidden Danger

What are ultra-processed foods? Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) make up many of the packaged snacks, processed meats, and sugary drinks that we consume on a daily basis. These foods are everywhere — and health experts say that avoiding these risks isn’t as easy as checking a nutrition label for things to avoid like fats or calories, but it takes awareness of the industrial processes themselves.

Mass-produced, heavily processed foods often use chemical additives, preservatives, and sometimes even certain packaging that can present risks to your health. These factors can disrupt the body’s natural defenses and trigger chronic inflammation, making your body more prone to developing and spreading cancer.

This study presents a new aspect to pay attention to when protecting your lung health: your diet.

“Although cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor,” says Dr. Scott Brandman, Director of Thoracic Imaging at Arizona Diagnostic Radiology, “some people who develop lung cancer have never smoked. This research study does not establish causality, but it suggests that a Western diet of ultra-processed foods may play a role in the development of lung cancer.”

How to Keep Your Lungs Safe with What You Eat

A steady, healthy diet is unfortunately not a fool-proof way to avoid cancer. But eating well does significantly help to keep all parts of your body healthy — including your lungs! Avoiding UPFs is the best way to minimize these risks. Home-cooked meals go a long way, as UPFs are rarely found in the kitchen.

“Speaking regularly with a doctor and asking about any concerns is essential for maintaining good health,” Dr. Brandman says, “Adults benefit from annual well-visits with a primary healthcare provider, and these visits are a great opportunity to talk about your personal risk factors and to learn about screening tests that may be appropriate to keep you healthy.”

Lung cancer is a pressing issue in the United States. But understanding all the ways your risk factor can be decreased is the best way to manage and monitor your lung health.

AZDRG’s Lung Cancer Innovation

While research like this poses new questions about prevention, AZDRG is working everyday to be the leading provider in screening. AZDRG, in partnership with Dignity Health, provides a Comprehensive Lung Screening Program, which leverages low-dose CT scans and leading-edge artificial intelligence to catch disease at its earliest stage, when it is most treatable.

Early detection is the most efficient way to treat cancer and save lives. Survival rates in late-stage diagnoses are just 9%, compared to 64% in patients who discovered their lung cancer early on. https://www.lung.org/research/state-of-lung-cancer/key-findings

DeepHealth is the wholly owned AI division of AZDRG’s parent company, RadNet, which specializes in accelerating diagnosis and boosting accuracy, detecting abnormalities that even the most highly trained physicians can miss. Moreover, through partnerships with organizations like Dignity Health and the Norton Thoracic Institute, Arizona Diagnostic Radiology continues to educate people and provide not only treatment, but also information on anything that affects your health — whether it’s lifestyle habits or ultra-processed foods.