Healthy diet linked to higher young-onset lung cancer in a new study

An observational study of 187 young-onset lung cancer patients presented at the AACR reported an association between higher Healthy Eating Index scores and cases among mostly female nonsmokers; the study is not yet peer-reviewed. Researchers also noted higher-than-average oral contraceptive use among female participants and suggested environmental contaminants as one possible area for further study.

Researchers analyzed data from the Epidemiology of Young Lung Cancer study and reported an unexpected association between healthier eating patterns and young-onset lung cancer in nonsmokers. The study sample included 187 patients and was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research; its results have not yet appeared in a peer-reviewed journal. Investigators and commentators emphasized that the finding is an association and does not establish that healthy foods cause cancer. Key findings: - The study included 187 young-onset lung cancer patients; young-onset is defined as diagnosis before age 50, and women made up about 78% of the group. - Most participants in each mutation-defined group had never smoked, and two groups (EGFR and fusion-positive) had Healthy Eating Index scores around 65 versus a U.S. adult average of 57 (about a 13% difference). Groups reported more servings of dark green vegetables, legumes, and whole grains than average. - Female participants reported oral contraceptive use at rates higher than cited U.S. averages (about 77% in EGFR and mixed groups, and about 65% in the fusion-positive group, versus a reported 11.4% among U.S. women ages 15–49 in the article). - Authors and outside clinicians noted that the association does not prove causation and raised environmental exposures, including possible pesticide contaminants, as a potential area for further research; the study has not yet been peer-reviewed. Summary: The study reports a preliminary association between higher diet-quality scores and young-onset lung cancer among mostly female nonsmokers and also notes elevated reported oral contraceptive use in the sample. The authors and commentators cautioned that these are associations only and highlighted environmental contaminant testing and further research as next steps. Undetermined at this time.