Oncologist says eating fruit and vegetables could increase risk of cancer

Oncologist says eating fruit and vegetables could increase risk of cancerA new study has shown some people who eat the healthy diet have a higher risk of lung cancerCommentsNewsNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)08:31, 18 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesA study found an increased cancer risk for young non-smokersA"healthy diet featuring plenty of fruit and veg could increase the risk of lung cancer, according to new research. Eating fruits, greens and whole grains is usually recommended by doctors to lower the risk of several diseases. including cancer.‌But it may actually put non-smokers under the age of 50 at greater risk of developing deadly lung cancer, say scientists. Pesticide residue may play a role in higher rates of lung cancer in young non-smokers, according to the findings of the American study.‌Lead investigator Jorge Nieva, a medical oncologist and lung cancer specialist at the University of Southern California (USC), said: “Our research shows that younger non-smokers who eat a higher quantity of healthy foods than the general population are more likely to develop lung cancer.‌View 3 ImagesJorge Nieva, MD, is a medical oncologist and lung cancer specialist “These counter-intuitive findings raise important questions about an unknown environmental risk factor for lung cancer related to otherwise beneficial food that needs to be addressed.”Dr Nieva and his fellow researchers believe that the risk factor may be pesticides used to keep crops pest-free. He says commercially produced, non-organic fruit, vegetables and whole grains are more likely to be associated with a higher residue of pesticides than dairy, meat and many processed foods.‌Dr Nieva also noted that agricultural workers exposed to pesticides often have higher rates of lung cancer, which adds credence to the theory. The study also showed that young women non-smokers have a higher incidence of lung cancer than men, and that women tended to also have a diet higher in produce and whole grain...