Processed Meat, Fried Food Promote Cancer — UI Don Warns

Professor Victor Ifeolu Akinmoladun, a leading academic at the University of Ibadan(UI) has warned that pro-inflammatory diets — including sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates, processed meats, and fried foods — contribute significantly to the development of cancer, particularly oral cancer.

Delivering the University of Ibadan’s 582nd Inaugural Lecture on behalf of the Faculty of Dentistry, Prof. Akinmoladun stressed that these unhealthy dietary choices induce persistent inflammation, which plays a central role in initiating and sustaining certain types of cancer.

The lecture, titled “The Scalpel and the Laboratory: Collaboration Against the Lawless,” highlighted cancer as one of the most pressing public health and socioeconomic challenges of the 21st century. The professor noted that cancer accounts for approximately one in six deaths globally, and three out of every ten premature deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people aged 30 to 69.

He revealed that head and neck cancers rank between the 6th and 10th most common cancers worldwide. According to him, the interplay between chronic inflammation and cancer could be likened to “an agreement between two individuals or groups to achieve an unlawful and harmful goal,” often with fatal outcomes.

Professor Akinmoladun explained that certain soluble and cellular inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, are responsible for tumour formation and progression in some cancers, including head and neck variants. However, he lamented that Nigeria lacks adequate data on cancer burden and survival rates, especially for oral cancers. Late diagnosis, poor infrastructure, and high treatment costs were cited as key contributors.

The renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon outlined key risk factors for oral cancer, including alcohol, tobacco, poor nutrition, and environmental exposure. He advocated for diets rich in vegetables, fruits, and micronutrients like zinc, copper, selenium, and antioxidants, which are known to protect against cancers of the stomach, lung, colon, and oral cavity.

He clarified that while cancer is not directly caused by a failed immune system, immune compromise can accelerate cancer development. This understanding, he noted, underpins the growing role of immunotherapy in cancer treatment.

Emphasising the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, he called for a strengthened partnership between surgical practice (“the scalpel”) and scientific research (“the laboratory”). He noted that the laboratory’s role now extends beyond basic diagnosis to include genetic testing and the identification of predictive biomarkers essential for precision medicine.

In his final remarks, Professor Akinmoladun urged a lifestyle shift among Nigerians — including reduced alcohol and tobacco use, dietary changes, and the use of antioxidant-rich supplements. He also advocated for targeted therapies and collaborative efforts among clinicians, scientists, and researchers, stressing that only through such synergy can effective cancer prevention and treatment be achieved.

The lecture marks the fifth in the University of Ibadan’s 2024/2025 academic session inaugural lecture series.