Can vegetarians get cancer?

As a public health expert with a focus on nutrition, I can tell you that dietary choices, including vegetarianism, are just one aspect of a complex web of factors that contribute to the risk of developing cancer. While a vegetarian diet can offer numerous health benefits, such as lower cholesterol and reduced risk of heart disease, it is not a guarantee against cancer. Cancer is a multifactorial disease influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Even with a healthy diet, individuals can still be at risk for various types of cancer. The study you mentioned suggests that vegetarian populations may have a higher likelihood of developing colorectal cancer compared to meat eaters, which could be due to other factors not accounted for in the diet alone, such as genetics, physical activity levels, or other dietary components. It's important for vegetarians, like anyone else, to maintain a balanced diet rich in a variety of nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and to engage in regular physical activity. Additionally, regular health check-ups and screenings can help detect any potential health issues early. **

The finding may help explain previous research which found vegetarian populations are nearly 40 per cent more likely to suffer colorectal cancer than meat eaters, a finding that has puzzled doctors because eating red meat is known to raise the risk. ... ��The message for vegetarians is simple.