Cancer-healing foods
Numerous scientific studies show that high intake of cruciferous vegetables and fruits (e.g. Mediterranean diet) is associated with better survival in cancer patients.
Cancer Survival
The American Cancer Society says a “Western-style” diet, which is high in red and processed meat, high-fat dairy, refined grains, French fries, sweets and desserts, is associated with shorter survival in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, and also may increase the risk that colorectal cancer will come back.
This meta-analysis looked at 117 studies enrolling 209 597 cancer survivors
It found higher intakes of vegetables and fish were associated with risk of lower overall mortality. The Western dietary pattern was associated with increased risk of overall mortality.
Cancer Recurrence
Dr. Young S. Kim, head of cancer and nutrition at the National Cancer Institute, showed that a poor diet would encourage the re-growth of a cancer tumour after chemotherapy had decreased tumour size, but that eating a good diet could stop the cancer tumour re-growth.
The Mediterranean Diet Improves Survival
VEGETABLES
FRUITS
WHOLE GRAINS
LEGUMES
HERBS & SPICES
NUTS & SEEDS
HEALTY FATS
RED WINE (Small amount with a meal.)
FISH (Salmon, Sardines, Trout, Tuna, Mackerel.)
POULTRY (Occasional small amount of skinless chicken or turkey).
Why this diet works
1. Plant-based foods are full of chemicals compounds, called phytochemicals (cruciferous vegetables, Garlic, Green tea etc) that protect the body from damage. They also interrupt processes in the body that encourage cancer production.
2. Cancer Stem Cells are the only cells that can give rise to new tumors. This is why cancers usually recur (come back). However, Dr Young S. Kim, a scientist at the National Cancer Institute in the US showed that a good diet could stop that regrowth.
Foods that feed cancer and reduce survival
Studies have shown that some of these reduce survival time while other promote inflammation (supporting studies below).
- Meat and animal protein (including eggs).
- Cows’ dairy: milk, cheese, yogurts etc.
- Processed meat, such as bacon, sausage, and lunchmeat.
- Foods high in added sugar such as fizzy drinks, fruit juices, desserts, sweets, syrup etc.
- Deep fried items such as French fries, fried chicken and donuts.
- Trans fats found in baked goods, fried foods, some spreads (like margarine), and snack foods.
- Commercial baked goods such as cakes, pies, and cookies.
- Bread and pasta made with white flour.
Homocysteine is a byproduct of consuming meat. Elevated levels are strongly associated with poor Recurrence Free Survival and Overall Survival in colorectal cancer patients.
Supplementation of folic acid, B6, and B12 vitamins significantly lowers circulating homocysteine levels. See Homocysteine
Cooking methods can make a difference
When you want to reduce inflammation, baking, steaming or fast stir-frying are preferable to deep frying or grilling.
Cancer and cardiovascular disease risk – another reason to eat healthy
Long-term complications of cancer and its therapies may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)…Compared to persons without cancer, adult cancer survivors have significantly higher risk of CVD, especially HF [heart failure], independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors – study
Additional foods & drink tips
Food quality: Buy locally sourced, organic food whenever possible.
Replace dairy milk with Plant-based milks.
Drink Matcha Green Tea or Essiac Tea every day.
Eat a giant salad every day.
Eat Tofu and Tempeh occasionally.
Supplement with vitamin B12 if you don’t eat animal products.
Flood your cells with nutrition: Start Green Juicing and Blending.
A plant-based diet is a powerful way to reduce cancer risk. And for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, it is an important way to improve survival.
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
See also Ketogenic Diet
Supporting Studies and
Additional Information
Experts support plant-based diet
Source: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (17,000 physicians).
A plant-based diet consists of exclusively plant foods, including fruit, vegetables, grains, and legumes, and avoids meat, dairy, and eggs. And for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, it is an important way to improve survival.
A leading cancer Hospital – Oasis of Hope – also endorses the plant-based diet.
Oasis of Hope recommends that its patients consume a predominately plant-based diet…The age adjusted death rates for several cancers prominent in Western countries are five-fold to ten-fold lower in cultures whose traditional diets are primarily based on whole plant based foods.
The Art and Science of Overcoming Cancer. Francisco Contreras, MD and Daniel E Kennedy MS
Studies showing benefits of a plant-based diet
This 2024 Research Letter (802 cancer survivors) says: High adherence to a traditional MD [Mediterranean Diet] was independently associated with a substantial reduction in all-cause mortality rates among cancer survivors, specifically in cardiovascular mortality. The latter observation is relevant because patients with cancer are considered a high cardiovascular disease risk population.
This 2023 Review Article concluded: …given that diet is a modifiable risk factor for cancer, the MedDiet can and should be recommended on a clinical level, even in the context of evidence that still needs to be improved. This conclusion is based on the arguments of reasonable consistency of the observed benefits, replicated in various populations, and confirmation in meta-analyses, which adds robustness to the findings.
BREAST CANCER
A study by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, of 4,886 Chinese breast cancer survivors diagnosed with stage 1 to stage 4 breast cancer found cruciferous vegetable intake during the first 36 months after breast cancer diagnosis was associated with a reduced risk for total mortality, breast cancer-specific mortality and recurrence in a dose–response pattern. Across increasing quartiles of cruciferous vegetable consumption, risk for total mortality decreased by 27% to 62% , risk for breast cancer-specific mortality decreased by 22% to 62%, and risk for recurrence decreased by 21% to 35%.
Lots more
This 2022 systematic review of 30 studies concluded:
There is initial evidence that healthy/unprocessed plant-based foods, including whole grains, nuts, fruit and vegetables may be beneficial for cancer prognosis. A high nut intake was consistently related to better survival of CRC [colorectal cancer], BC [breast cancer], and PC [prostate cancer]…
This 2020 study published by American Association for Cancer Research, assessed the associations of post-diagnostic fruit and vegetable consumption with breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality among 8,927 women with stage I–III breast cancer says:
In summary, we observed better overall survival after breast cancer diagnosis among women with higher vegetable consumption; specifically, green leafy vegetables as well as cruciferous vegetables, fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C, and vegetables rich in β-carotene.
This 2025 review says: For breast cancer patients, following the mediterranean diet improves the quality of life by reducing pain and inflammation. It also promotes better physical and mental well-being, supporting treatment adherence and overall health during cancer care. The mediterranean diet may reduce breast cancer mortality by improving treatment response and reducing recurrence risk. Its benefits extend beyond cancer prevention, supporting better long-term health outcomes for survivors.
This 2024 Review Article says: Observational evidence suggests the MED-diet can extend cancer survivorship, where high adherence to a MED-diet has shown a 22% and 13% reduction in prostate cancer and breast cancer mortality, respectively.
A 2014 meta-analysis found that a low-fat diet reduced the risk of recurrence of breast cancer by 23% and all cause mortality of breast cancer by 17%.
Natural Products (in foods) anti-cancer properties.
This 2025 study says: Emerging evidence highlights the multi-target mechanisms of Natural Products—including terpenes, glycosides, phenolics, and alkaloids against TNBC. These compounds suppress tumor progression through diverse pathways, such as metastasis inhibition, apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and tumor microenvironment modulation.
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA/ALA)
This study involving a total of 48 locally advanced breast cancer patients concluded: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improved overall survival and progression-free survival of locally advanced breast cancer treated with CAF neoadjuvant chemotherapy and mastectomy.
Carotenoids and Selenium prevent Recurrence
This study involving 3,043 breast cancer survivors, found that Carotenoids and Selenium can prevent breast cancer returning. Cruciferous vegetables contain Carotenoids. Selenium is available as a supplement.
Curcumim reduced the severity of radiation dermatitis
This Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Thirty Breast Cancer Patients.
This clinical trial demonstrated that oral curcumin, at 6.0 grams daily, significantly reduced the severity of radiation dermatitis and moist desquamation. Curcumin did not appear effective at reducing the severity of radiation dermatitis in patients who had total mastectomy prior to radiation therapy.
Overall, although curcumin did not completely prevent radiation dermatitis in this trial, the reduction in moist desquamation is clinically significant and suggests improved quality of life during RT.
Piperine given at 20 mg combined with 2 grams of curcumin increased curcumin’s total bioavailability by 20-fold.
Women with breast cancer are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
This 2024 study looked at 3415 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. It found a good diet may be beneficial for preventing CVD and CVD-related deaths.
Soy isoflavone significant reduced risk of Breast Cancer recurrence
This study analysed 9514 breast cancer survivors. Soy isoflavone intake was associated with a statistically significant reduced risk of recurrence. See also Haelan 951 (A fermented soybean-derived beverage).
This 2022 Meta-analysis of eight studies involving over 16,000 breast cancer cases focused primarily on the effect of soy consumption on breast cancer survival rates for women patients, it concluded that isoflavones post-diagnosis of breast cancer is associated with a reduced death rate.
This 2024systematic review and meta-analysis looked at 11 studies that examined soy isoflavones involving 34 567 women who completed treatment or currently undergoing treatment for histologically confirmed breast cancer. It found that Soy isoflavones were associated with a 26% reduced risk of recurrence particularly among postmenopausal and estrogen receptor–positive survivors with the greatest risk reduction at 60 mg/day and a risk reduction in breast cancer–specific mortality mostly at 20 to 40 mg/day.
A significant risk reduction was found, however, for ER+ disease in breast cancer–specific mortality
Flaxseed reduces breast cancer mortality
This study assessed the prognosis of 1,140 postmenopausal patients with breast cancer age 50 to 74 years. Results: Higher serum enterolactone [found in flaxseed] levels were associated with significantly reduced hazard ratios for deathonly for estrogen receptor–negative tumors but not for estrogen receptor–positive tumors.
This Systematic Review of 10 studies found that Flax may protect against primary breast cancer. Mortality risk may also be reduced among those living with breast cancer.
Diindolylmethane (DIM)
Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a metabolite of Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a compound found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. DIM is available as a supplement.
In this study ninety-eight women prescribed tamoxifen were assigned to receive BioResponse-DIM® (BR-DIM), providing 150 mgs DIM twice daily, or placebo, for 12 months. There were forty-seven women in the DIM group and fifty-one women in the placebo group.
In patients taking tamoxifen for breast cancer, daily DIM promoted favorable changes in estrogen metabolism and circulating levels of sex hormone-binding globulin.
Alcohol consumption and breast cancer
Research has shown that drinking less than one standard drink of alcohol per day compared with no drinking was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence and death due to breast cancer.
This study involving 1,897 participants diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer examined the association of alcohol consumption after breast cancer diagnosis with recurrence and mortality among early-stage breast cancer survivors.
It found that regular drinking equivalent to three to four standard drinks or more per week was associated with a 1.3-fold and 1.5-fold increased risk of breast cancer recurrence and breast cancer death, respectively. The increased risk of recurrence appeared to be greater among postmenopausal and overweight and obese women. Alcohol intake was not associated with all-cause death and possibly associated with decreased risk of non–breast cancer death.
COLORECTAL CANCER
This American Cancer Society study found that Colorectal cancer patients who ate a diet high in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits and improve their lifestyle survive longer with a 42% reduced risk of death than those who do not make the changes.
More
This study says:
In the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort, 2,801 participants were cancer free at baseline in 1992/1993 and subsequently diagnosed with invasive, nonmetastatic CRC during follow-up through June 2013. Dietary patterns reflective of high intakes of plant foods and low intakes of animal products before and after CRC diagnosis are associated with longer survival.
The Global Cancer Update Programme research team at Imperial College London, conducted comprehensive systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses to evaluate the evidence on body fatness, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and diet with predicted outcomes after a colorectal cancer diagnosis. Overall, the evidence suggested a physically active lifestyle, a diet rich in plant-based foods, wholegrain foods, and coffee, but avoiding sugary drinks, potentially improve outcomes and overall survival.
In this Research Article 1201 women diagnosed with stage I–III CRC [colorectal cancer] between 1986 and 2008, were followed through 2010. Diet was assessed via a food frequency questionnaire administered at least 6 months after diagnosis. In this analysis, they found high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts and decreased intake of salt and saturated fat was associated with longer overall survival among CRC survivors. Non-consumption of alcohol and higher consumption of combined sugar sweetened beverages and fruit juices may contribute to the poorer survival in women.
This 2022 systematic review of 30 studies concluded:
There is initial evidence that healthy/unprocessed plant-based foods, including whole grains, nuts, fruit and vegetables may be beneficial for cancer prognosis. A high nut intake was consistently related to better survival of CRC [colorectal cancer], BC [breast cancer], and PC [prostate cancer]…
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reports: Patients with stage III colon cancer who have undergone surgery and chemotherapy with the goal of cure may have a higher risk of relapsing and dying early if they follow a predominantly “Western” diet of red meat, fatty foods, refined grains, and desserts, according to research led by investigators at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
The research involved 1,009 patients who recorded their dietary intake on questionnaires for six months after chemotherapy, and researchers then tracked them for cancer recurrence or death.
Researchers found that cancer tended to recur significantly faster in participants whose diets most closely followed the Western pattern. A Western diet was also associated with a lower overall survival rate.
Anthocyanins
Baked purple-fleshed potato suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in colon cancer stem cells, says this study. The study authors say their results provide the evidence that Purple Potato extract has the potential to target the self-renewal of colon cancer stem cells.
This study demonstrated anti-cancer mechanism of Purple Potatoes against colon Cancer Stem Cells.
PROSTATE CANCER
In 2005, Dr. Dean Ornish MD conducted an interventional study with 93 patients PROVING that you can reverse the progression of early stage prostate cancer with a plant-based diet, exercise, and stress reduction.
This 2024 Review Article says: Observational evidence suggests the MED-diet can extend cancer survivorship, where high adherence to a MED-diet has shown a 22% and 13% reduction in prostate cancer and breast cancer mortality, respectively.
This 2022 systematic review of 30 studies concluded:
There is initial evidence that healthy/unprocessed plant-based foods, including whole grains, nuts, fruit and vegetables may be beneficial for cancer prognosis. A high nut intake was consistently related to better survival of CRC [colorectal cancer], BC [breast cancer], and PC [prostate cancer]…
BLADDER CANCER
In this study of 239 patients bladder cancer patients… intake of raw cruciferous vegetables was significantly associated with reduced disease-specific (57% reduction) and overall mortality (43% reduction), a result largely driven by raw broccoli intake.
Cancer Ireland Note: Laboratory studies show that Broccoli sprouts can target cancer stem cells. Broccoli sprouts are 100 times better at providing sulforaphane than the mature broccoli. See Broccoli Sprout Extract
A whole-food, plant-based diet has been shown to slow the progression of certain types of cancer
RED WINE, FISH, AND POULTRY
This study involving 1,897 participants diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer examined the association of alcohol consumption after breast cancer diagnosis with recurrence and mortality among early-stage breast cancer survivors. Nine hundred fifty-eight women (51%) were considered drinkers, and the majority drank wine (89%).
Drinking ≥ 6 g/d (less than one standard drink per day) of alcohol compared with no drinking was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence and death due to breast cancer. The increased risk of recurrence appeared to be greater among postmenopausal and overweight and obese women. Alcohol intake was not associated with all-cause death and possibly associated with decreased risk of non–breast cancer death.
More
FISH
Significant cancer death reduction by eating small fish whole
For this study, researchers analyzed food frequency questionnaire data from more than 80,000 participants — about 34,500 men and 46,000 women — between the ages of 35 and 69 in Japan. Based on the questionnaires, scientists noted how frequently study participants ate small fish whole.
Researchers followed the participants for an average of nine years, during which about 2,400 participants died with about 60% attributed to cancer.
At the study’s conclusion, scientists discovered there was a significant reduction in all-cause and cancer death among female participants who habitually ate small fish whole.
This study of 1463 women women with breast cancer says:…we observed reductions of 16% to 34% in all-cause mortality after 15 years of follow-up for a high intake of fish and long-chain ω-3 PUFAs (DPA, DHA, and EPA), which is consistent with laboratory evidence…
Dietary Fish and Marine Omega-3 PUFAs
This Meta Analysis analysed 21 cohort studies. Compared to the lowest category, the highest category of fish intake was associated with a significant lower mortality in patients with ovarian cancer and overall cancer. Marine omega-3 PUFAs intake rather than total omega-3 PUFAs intake showed significant protective effects on survival of overall cancer, in particular prostate cancer. In conclusion, our analysis demonstrated a protective effect of dietary fish and marine omega-3 PUFAs consumption on cancer survival.
Poultry – skin increases recurrence risk
This study says: Studies consistently report that skinless poultry intake is not associated with risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer, and two studies have reported that consuming skinless poultry after diagnosis is not associated with risk of prostate cancer progression. In contrast, men who reported consuming higher amounts of poultry with skin (about 3 servings/week) after prostate cancer diagnosis had a 2.26-fold increased risk of recurrence compared with men who consumed less (0 servings/week)
CANCER PROMOTING FOODS TO AVOID – SUPPORTING STUDIES
Red Meat and High meat consumption
This 2024 systematic analysis says red meat consumption above 100 g accelerates the development of breast cancer], and some studies report that consumption of red meat above 50 g accelerates the development of lung cancer and Prostate cancer.
This study followed 2641 Finnish men for 22.3 years and concluded: Higher ratio of animal to plant protein in diet and higher meat intake were associated with increased mortality risk. Higher total protein intake appeared to be associated with mortality mainly among those with a predisposing disease.
More
Animal protein intake and cancer deaths.
This study looked at the link between protein intake and mortality in 6,381 adults. Respondents aged 50–65 reporting high protein intake had a 75% increase in overall mortality and a 4-fold increase in cancer death risk during the following 18 years. These associations were either abolished or attenuated if the proteins were plant derived.
In this study of 4,452 breast cancer survivors, intake in the lowest versus highest quartile of red and processed meat intake after diagnosis was associated with a statistically significant 48, 43, and 36 % lower risk of CVD, non-breast, non-CVD causes of death, and total mortality, respectively.
Processed meat, such as bacon, sausage, and lunchmeat.
Processed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causes – WHO
Source: The Guardian
UN health body says bacon, sausages and ham among most carcinogenic substances along with cigarettes, alcohol, asbestos and arsenic.
Bacon, ham and sausages rank alongside cigarettes as a major cause of cancer, the World Health Organisation has said, placing cured and processed meats in the same category as asbestos, alcohol, arsenic and tobacco.
The report from the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer said there was enough evidence to rank processed meats as group 1 carcinogens because of a causal link with bowel cancer.
It places red meat in group 2A, as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. Eating red meat is also linked to pancreatic and prostate cancer, the IARC says…continue reading Processed Meat and Red Mea
Cows’ dairy: milk, cheese, yogurts
This 2023study says: Several components in commercial cow’s milk may foster malignant transformation and may promote BCa [breast cancer] initiation and progression. These factors are milk-derived and milk-induced IGF-1, estrogens, exosomal microRNAs, bovine meat and milk factors (BMMFs), and other contaminants like aflatoxins, bisphenol A, and micro- and nanoplastics as well as environmental pesticides
One cup of milk per day associated with up to 50 per cent increase in breast cancer risk: study
Source: ctvnews.ca
New evidence suggests that women who drink as little as one cup of dairy milk per day could increase their risk of developing breast cancer by up to 50 per cent.
Researchers say the observational study gives fairly strong evidence that dairy milk or factors closely related to the consumption of dairy milk is linked to the development of breast cancer in women.
“Consuming as little as one-quarter to one-third of a cup of dairy milk per day was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer of 30 per cent,” study author Dr. Gary Fraser said in a press release.
Foods high in added sugar such as fizzy drinks, fruit juices, desserts, sweets, syrup etc.
The Foundation for Collaborative Medicine and Research (Collmed) says sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts.
Dr. Thomas Graeber, a professor of molecular and medical pharmacology, has investigated how glucose affects cancer cells. In research published in 2012 in the journal Molecular Systems Biology, Graeber and his colleagues demonstrate that depriving cancer cells of glucose leads to cancer cell death.
Inflammatory Foods – Deep fried items, Trans fats, Commercial baked goods such as cakes, pies, and cookies and Bread and pasta made with white flour.
This study of 1003 ovarian cancer survivors concluded: Consuming a more inflammatory dietary pattern post-diagnosis was associated with increased mortality in ovarian cancer survivors, suggesting limiting the inflammatory potential of diet post-diagnosis could lead to enhanced survivorship.
Eggs
In this Systematic Review thirty-three (32 publications) cohort studies were included. These studies enrolled 2,216,720 participants and recorded 232,408 deaths from all causes. Higher egg consumption was not associated with an increased risk of mortality from all causes, CVD, CHD, stroke, or respiratory disease, whereas an elevated risk was observed for cancer mortality.
This Systematic Review included 55 studies, comprising data from 2,772,486 individuals with 228,425 cases of all-cause mortality, 71,745 cases of CVD mortality, and 67,211 cases of cancer mortality. Intake of each additional egg per day was associated with a 13% higher risk of cancer mortality.
This Study included 521,120 participants. It concluded: In this study, intakes of eggs and cholesterol were associated with higher all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. The increased mortality associated with egg consumption was largely influenced by cholesterol intake.
Study
This Longitudinal analysis on 20,562 men and women says: In multivariable-adjusted analysis as compared to low intake, eating > 4 eggs/week led to an increased risk of all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality.
Inflammatory foods
This 2023 Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 13 cohort studies involving 14,920 cancer survivors says an inflammatory diet can increase all-cause mortality by 34% among cancer survivors. Only post-diagnosis diet had a significant association with all-cause mortality.
This 2024 study concluded: Adoption of an anti-inflammatory diet, characterized by lower DII [ Dietary Inflammatory Index ]scores, may improve survival outcomes in cancer survivors. These results emphasize the critical role of dietary interventions in post-cancer care.
This study concluded: a more proinflammatory diet was associated with an increased risk of recurrence and all-cause mortality.
Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds
Kelly Turner, PhD, a researcher who specializes in integrative oncology, studied one hundred cancer survivors and analysed over one thousand cases of people who experienced a “radical remission” from “incurable” cancer. She found that these people did not sit around waiting for a miracle, but made significant changes in their lives. Dr Kelley found ten healing factors common among all of the cases she studied. These ten key factors are:
- Radically changing your diet
- Taking control of your health
- Following your intuition
- Using herbs and supplements
- Releasing suppressed emotions
- Increasing positive emotions
- Embracing social support
- Deepening your spiritual connection
- Having strong reasons for living
- Daily Physical Exercise
See more at www.RadicalRemission.com.
Dramatic improvement after cutting dairy from diet.
Note: Jane was given only months to live in 1993.
After 30 years and the disease recurring 8 times, she always stuck with her diet and was actually clear of cancer when she died on 4th March 2016 from a blood clot – possibly an unforeseen side-effect of the medication.
See also: Salvestrols
Page last updated January 2026