In November 2018 researchers from France published the results of their study to assess the association between a plant-based dietary score and cancer risk. A higher plant-based dietary score reflects the contribution of consumed plant vs animal products and has already been associated with a reduced risk of diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular disease in meat-eating adults. A total of 42,544 individuals, aged 45 years and over, who had completed at least three 24-hour dietary records during the first year of follow-up were included in the study. During the period of follow-up 1,591 diagnoses of cancer were made which included 487 breast, 243 prostate, 198 digestive and 68 lung cancers. Results showed that a higher plant-based dietary score was associated with a reduced risk of both digestive and lung cancer, although no substantial association was found for breast or prostate cancers.
Kane-Diallo A et al. Association between a pro plant-based dietary score and cancer risk in the prospective NutriNet-santé cohort. Int J Cancer. 2018 Nov 1;143(9):2168-2176