Cancer – the 20p fruit that could slash your risk of lung and stomach cancers

CANCER risk could be lowered by making some diet or lifestyle swaps, including regular exercise. But you could also help to prevent tumour symptoms and signs from developing by eating more of this cheap fruit. Cancer is caused by cells in a specific part of the body reproducing uncontrollably, according to the NHS.

These cancerous cells can destroy the healthy tissue surrounding them – including organs.
More than a third of all people will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime.
Tomatoes contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which could help to prevent lung, pancreatic, stomach, mouth, colon and beast cancer, claimed dietitian Juliette Kellow and nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer.
Lycopene works by preventing DNA and other cell damage, added the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).
In people that already have cancer, it could stimulate self-destruction of the cancerous cells, it added.
“Tomatoes are the second most widely eaten vegetable in the United States, probably because of their sweetness and versatility,” said the AICR.
“Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins C and A [produced from beta-carotene] and one serving provides at least 10 per cent of the daily recommended potassium.
“In addition to beta-carotene, tomatoes contain a number of other carotenoids [including] lycopene, an antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red colour.
“Numerous animal studies show lycopene protects against prostate cancer especially.
“Yet compared to lycopene alone, animal studies suggest that whole tomato powder links to even lower prostate cancer risk.”
Red tomatoes, sauces and other tomato products are the best dietary source of lycopene.
Sundried tomatoes are the single best tomato-based source of lycopene, added the nutritionists.
Four sundried tomatoes provide almost seven times more lycopene than a single regular tomato, they said.
Around 40 per cent of all cancers in the UK could be prevented by making easy lifestyle changes, said Macmillan Cancer Support.
Giving up smoking is the best way to lower your chances of cancer, breastf you’re a smoker.
A quarter of all cancer deaths are linked to smoking, said the charity.
Maintaining a healthy weight is also crucial in avoiding cancer. You can lose weight by eating a balanced diet, and by doing regular exercise.
Everyone should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week.