Although the causes of some cancers are not yet clear, cancer prevention measures summarized based on modern medical research are still effective. These include practicing good hygiene and consuming fewer potentially carcinogenic foods. Potentially carcinogenic foods include:
Salted fish. Salted fish produces dimethyl nitrite, which can be converted into the carcinogen dimethyl nitrosamine in the body. If a person frequently eats salted fish from birth to the age of 10, their chances of developing nasopharyngeal cancer in the future are 30-40 times higher than those who do not eat salted fish. Fish sauce, shrimp paste, salted eggs, pickled vegetables, Chinese sausage, ham, and smoked pork also contain high levels of nitrosamine carcinogens and should be consumed as little as possible.
Barbecued foods. Such as grilled beef, roasted duck, grilled mutton, roasted goose, and roasted pork. Due to containing the strong carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene, they should not be eaten in large quantities.
Smoked foods. Such as smoked meat, smoked liver, smoked fish, smoked eggs, and smoked tofu also contain benzo[a]pyrene, and frequent consumption can easily lead to esophageal and stomach cancer.
Fried foods. After being fried until charred, they produce carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. When coffee beans are scorched, the benzo[a]pyrene content increases 20-fold. Foods like fried pancakes, stinky tofu, fried taro puffs, and fried dough sticks are often cooked in oil that has been reused multiple times, which produces a carcinogenic decomposition product at high temperatures.
Moldy foods. Foods such as rice, wheat, beans, corn, and peanuts are prone to moisture and mold. After being contaminated by mold, they produce various carcinogenic toxins.
Leftover cooked cabbage. Produces nitrites, which are converted into the carcinogen nitrosamine in the body.
Areca nut. Chewing areca nut is a factor that causes oral cancer.
Re-boiled water. Re-boiled water contains nitrites, which eventually form the carcinogenic nitrous acid.
Drinking unboiled water and pond water. Stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, and liver cancer are all related to drinking pond water. People who frequently drink unboiled tap water have a 21% increased risk of bladder cancer and a 38% increased risk of colorectal cancer.