Does Diet Impact the Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Abstract

The incidence of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) continues to rise beyond that expected by an aging population alone. There are some established risk factors, including viral infections, autoimmune disease, occupational exposures, radiation, but the vast majority of cases remain unexplained. However, one of the most frequent questions asked by patients is ‘what about my diet’? For certain cancer types there are well-established associations with dietary exposures, such as processed meat and bowel cancer. However, for NHL the associations with dietary factors are less well established and not often considered in consultations. Given that some common NHL subtypes have a familial risk, there may be an opportunity to counsel family members on lifestyle approaches aimed at risk reduction. In this spotlight, we review evidence for the relationship between diet and the risk of NHL.