Nose cancer - diet

​Most people are aware that smoking is linked to nasopharyngeal (nose and throat) cancer or NPC, but few are aware that dietary choices can also have an impact.

Salted vegetables, which are common in the Asian diet, contain carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines which increase the risk of developing NPC.

Our Doctors at Katong Family Clinic cautions against eating too many salted (preserved) vegetables but says that male gender, Chinese ethnicity - particularly from southern China - and family history such as having a first degree relative affected by NPC are also important risk factors.

This article highlights the risk factors in our everyday diet which can lead to NPC!