Dietary components and the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer: A systematic review of epidemiological studies

Abstract

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer among white-skinned people. The main environmental risk factor for all types of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) exposure to the sun. However, significant modifiable risk factors, such as diet, have been studied about NMSC risk. Several original studies have been conducted on the link between various dietary components and the risk of NMSC in the past decade, but have not been systematically reviewed. This review focuses on the potential impact of dietary components in the prevention of NMSC and evaluates the findings of epidemiologic evidence for dietary factors. We conducted a systematic search of three databases, including Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and PubMed, to identify relevant epidemiological studies published between 2000 and July 6, 2021. Finally, forty-three articles were included. Because of the inherent limitations of epidemiological studies, no definitive conclusions can be drawn; however, the links between folate, citrus, caffeine, and alcohol with BCC are notable; thus, high dietary folate intake, as well as citrus and alcohol consumption, are associated with an increased risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), whereas caffeine is associated with a lower risk. More research is required to reach a definitive conclusion.

Keywords:

• Non-melanoma skin cancer
• basal cell carcinoma
• squamous cell carcinoma
• epidemiological studies
• nutrition
• diet

Authors’ contribution

E.H. contributed to the acquisition of data for the work, and drafted the manuscript. S.J. and Y.J. and N.Z. contributed to the conception, design of the work, and interpretation of the data. B.P.G. and R.M. critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the integrity and accuracy of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This article is written from a review of sources for the master’s thesis of Erfan Hezaveh [No. T/A/223] registered in the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran and was funded by the Research Vice-Chancellor of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Grant numbers [63769].