Sushi 'could prevent lung cancer'

Raw fish is an essential ingredient of some Japanese cuisine

A diet including plenty of raw or fresh fish could protect smokers against lung cancer, research suggests.

The research comes from Japan, where lung cancer rates are lower than in countries such as the UK, even though smoking rates are the same if not higher.

The difference has been attributed to the traditional Japanese diet, which is rich in fresh fish, and even raw fish in sushi cookery.

In the UK, researchers believe that following the Japanese example could save hundreds of lives each year.

Even though the Japanese smoke as much as people in the UK, their rate of lung cancer is only two-thirds as high

Professor Toshiro Takezaki,
Cancer Centre Hospital

Nine out of 10 people who get lung cancer can blame it on smoking, and at least 95% of them will die within five years.

However, many people smoke for decades and never develop lung cancer, and scientists are trying to work out why some get it and some do not.

Approximately 30,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK.

The scientists at the Cancer Centre Hospital in Aichi, Japan, looked at the diets of more than 4,000 healthy people, and another 1,000 with lung cancer.

They found that both men and women who ate "large" amounts of fresh fish were significantly less likely to develop lung cancer.

A diet which included salted or dried fish in place of fresh fish did not confer the same protective qualities, researchers found.

'Give up smoking'

Professor Toshiro Takezaki, who led the study, said: "Japanese people love their fresh fish, particularly sushi.

"We think that is why, even though the Japanese smoke as much as people in the UK, their rate of lung cancer is only two-thirds as high."

There are several different types of lung cancer, and the protective fish effect appeared to be the strongest for a type called adenocarcinoma - about 5% of all cases.

Fresh fish eaters appeared to halve their risk of developing this type.

Professor Gordon McVie, director general of the Cancer Research Campaign, said: "This research once again emphasises the important interaction of diet and tobacco in deciding whether we will develop cancer.

"The most important thing anyone can do to cut their risk from lung cancer is to give up smoking, but for those people who are unable to quit, eating lots of fresh fish could be a useful way to moderate their risk."

Other dietary factors which appeared to reduce lung cancer risk were raw and green vegetables, fruit and milk, but carrot, pumpkin, egg and coffee appeared to increase risk.