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Lung cancer warning for foods which make up ‘half the average diet' after new study
Ultra-processed foods filled with preservatives, additives and flavour enhancers have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. In the UK and US, more than half of the average diet consists of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), such as ready meals, fast food and fizzy drinks. A previous BMJ study in 2024 linked UPFs to 32 harmful health effects including a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, adverse mental health and early death. Now, eating UPFs has been linked to lung cancer - the most common cancer in the world, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. There were an estimated 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths from the disease worldwide in 2020, researchers of the study published in the respiratory journal Thorax said. But limiting consumption of these foods may help curb the global impact of the disease, the researchers say. Although there is no exact definition of a UPF, these foods typically undergo multiple processing steps, contain long lists of additives and preservatives, and are ready-to-eat or heat. Researchers drew on data from the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trials, involving 155,000 participants aged 55 to 74 who were randomly assigned to either a screening or comparison group between November 1993 and July 2001. Cancer diagnoses were tracked until the end of 2009, and cancer deaths until the end of 2018. A total of 101,732 people (50,187 men and 51,545 women, with an average age of 62) who completed a questionnaire on their dietary habits upon entry to the trials were included in the study. Foods were categorised as: unprocessed or minimally processed; containing processed culinary ingredients; processed; or ultra-processed. The researchers focused in particular on UPFs that included sour cream, as well as cream cheese, ice cream, frozen yoghurt, fried foods, bread, baked goods, salted snacks, breakfast cereals, instant noodles, shop-bought soups and sauces, margarine, confectionery, soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, restaurant/shop-bought hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza. The three types of food that featured the most were lunch meat (11 per cent), diet or caffeinated soft drinks (just over 7 per cent) and decaffeinated soft drinks (nearly 7 per cent). Participants were tracked for 12 years and in that time, 1,706 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, including 1,473 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 233 of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). After accounting for potentially influential factors, including smoking and overall diet quality, participants who ate the most UPFs were 41 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who ate the least. Overall, they were 37 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with NSCLC and 44 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with SCLC. Because it was an observational study and no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, researchers acknowledge that they weren't able to factor in smoking intensity, which may have been influential. Dietary information was collected only once, so they could not account for changes over time, and the number of cancer diagnoses was small. But researchers do highlight the low nutritional value of UPFs and the excessive amounts of salt, sugar and fats they contain. 'The rise in UPF consumption may have driven global increases in obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, cancer and mortality, as these foods are confirmed risk factors for such conditions,' the researchers suggested. 'Industrial processing alters the food matrix, affecting nutrient availability and absorption, while also generating harmful contaminants,' they added, highlighting acrolein, which is found in grilled sausages and caramel sweets and is a toxic component of cigarette smoke. Packaging materials may also have a role to play, they suggested. 'You can't say from this study that UPFs cause cancer as it's observational, so we're looking at associations, not direct effects. But it does strengthen the case for looking more closely at the food environment many people are living in where UPFs are cheap, convenient, and heavily marketed, making them a go-to for many,' Rob Hobson, nutritionist and author of Unprocess Your Family Life, told The Independent. He suggested, rather than 'pointing figures at individual foods', to instead make small shifts towards a healthier diet. 'That might mean cooking more from scratch where possible, adding in more whole foods like vegetables, beans and grains, or just becoming more aware of how often UPFs show up in your day,' he said. 'It's not about being perfect, it's about balance and understanding how your food choices could be supporting or undermining your long-term health.' Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
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Spousal Caregivers Face Greater Strain—Here's What The Data Shows
The first impact was emotional, says Esme Almonte, 58 (name changed). 'When a loved one is suffering from a chronic illness, you think in the beginning, if you do things right, everything will be alright—and that's what I thought.' Almonte is the primary caregiver for her husband, who suffers from leptomeningeal disease. She is among the rising number of spousal or partner caregivers who are women, according to research. She's also part of the 44% of family caregivers in high-intensity situations, according to Caregiving in the U.S. 2025, a landmark report published by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. The report provides the most comprehensive snapshot to date of America's 63 million caregivers and outlines what must be done to support them. High-intensity care is defined as providing longer weekly hours of support, assisting with essential tasks such as bathing, meal prep, managing medications or finances, and often doing so with little or no help. Spousal or partner caregiving is especially complex because it involves caring for someone deeply loved, often evoking a range of difficult emotions—anger, guilt, confusion, and grief. And that's just the beginning. These situations are emotionally and physically draining. For Mark Horst, 63 (name changed), the weight of caregiving became clear when his wife of 38 years was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He didn't know what lay ahead—only that he would remain by her side as her primary caregiver. 'Having Alzheimer's is absolutely heartbreaking, and I couldn't do it without God's help,' says Horst, a man of deep faith. Like Almonte, he quickly realized that caring for a loved one with a chronic illness requires deep empathy, patience, and resilience—and help. According to the Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report, caregivers who provide high-intensity care devote more time and assist with more tasks than other caregivers. They not only navigate unique circumstances but also face greater demands and more complex responsibilities than their lower-intensity counterparts. Key findings include: Caregivers like Horst and Almonte are part of a growing group who are not only aging themselves but also supporting a loved one with a complex medical condition or disability. Spouses or partners remain a major source of informal long-term care in the U.S., making them critical to the nation's care infrastructure. As such, they deserve more visibility in research, healthcare, and policymaking. Here are three current caregiving trends—and their implications for today's high-intensity caregivers. 1. Spousal Caregivers Through The Lens Of Aging Older caregivers tend to support spouses or partners with long-term chronic conditions or disabilities. Common diagnoses include Alzheimer's, cancer, mobility impairments, age-related decline, and recovery from surgery. Younger caregivers (under 50) are more likely to support individuals with short-term or mental health needs. For older caregivers like Almonte, the emotional toll can be profound. 'Cleaning, comforting, taking him to appointments—it all takes time. But the disappointment is when his health keeps deteriorating,' she says. 'You do your best, but the emotions are persistent. You think about losing someone you love—and how one day, they won't be there anymore.' These caregiving patterns shift across the lifespan, but one thing remains clear: no caregiver's story is the same. 2. Mental Health Impacts Of High-Intensity Spousal Caregivers Despite the rising number of spousal or partner caregivers, most studies have had methodological limitations—and many have overlooked the role of caregiving intensity. New research published in the Journal of Health Economics examined how different levels of spousal caregiving intensity impact mental health outcomes, using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Key findings include: This research offers timely insights for the development of targeted long-term care policies and emphasizes why understanding the mental health toll of caregiving, especially spousal or partner caregiving—is so essential. 3. Resilience And Resources: A Lifeline For Spousal Caregivers Caregiving comes without a rulebook. As the saying goes, we either sink or swim. For many, resilience becomes the anchor. But resilience is not just about inner strength—it's also about access to external resources. A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Mental Health explored how multiple resilience resources work together using a person-centered approach. Researchers identified three key caregiver profiles: Unsurprisingly, spousal or partner caregivers dealing with higher stress, functional limitations, and depressive symptoms were less likely to have strong resilience resources. The findings underscore the need for holistic interventions—respite care, paid help, community services—to support caregiver well-being. Caregivers Need Guidance, Not Guesswork 'I wish there was more guidance from the medical side,' says Almonte. 'A folder, a manual, something to explain the stages of illness—who to call, when to involve a social worker, where to find support. In the beginning, you're just guessing.' Caregivers need a roadmap. According to the Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report, more family caregivers are providing increasingly complex care over extended periods. A comprehensive roadmap can help them navigate these challenges and manage demanding caregiving tasks more effectively. Caregivers also need relief in different ways, and it's important to recognize that support is not one-size-fits-all. While some caregivers find solace in support groups or respite, others lack time or don't see the benefit. Respecting those differences is crucial—especially for healthcare professionals designing interventions or long-term grief support. Though caregivers have long been a silent demographic, that's starting to change. But as caregiving becomes an unavoidable part of life for many, it's time for society to move beyond platitudes and prioritize their needs—not just in words, but in policy, infrastructure, and culture. Though caregivers have long been a silent demographic, that's starting to change.
