Overview
- USC Norris researchers, presenting Friday at the AACR meeting, said 187 patients diagnosed with lung cancer by age 50 had higher Healthy Eating Index scores than the U.S. average, at 65 versus 57.
- Participants also reported more daily servings than typical adults of dark green vegetables and legumes at 4.3 servings and whole grains at 3.9 servings.
- The team hypothesized that pesticide residues on conventionally grown produce may be an environmental risk, but they did not test foods or patients and instead used published residue averages to estimate exposure.
- Investigators said the next step is to measure pesticide levels in blood or urine to test the hypothesis and to pinpoint any specific chemicals if a link is confirmed.
- External experts called the findings exploratory and likely confounded and urged against changing diets, noting that smoking remains the main driver even as early-onset cases in nonsmokers, often women, have been rising.