Hidden link between cancer and guilty pleasures every American secretly indulges in
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A sip of wine. A craving for pizza. A full calendar.
These may seem like harmless aspects of life – but a scientist has revealed how they could be putting you on the brink of developing cancer.
Dr Raphael Cuomo, a University of California, San Diego medical professor, claims chronic stress, fast food and alcohol and drugs are a near-surefire way to set yourself up for a cancer diagnosis later in life.
In his new book, Crave: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancer, the expert noted that the body’s repetitive desire to indulge in junk food and addictive behaviors drives the body to the deadly condition.
The professor told DailyMail.com: ‘Crave reveals how modern habits like vaping, binge-eating, and daily cannabis use hijack our biology.
‘These behaviors quietly damage the body’s ability to repair itself. Over time, they open the door to cancer. It is not about genetics or bad luck. It is about the choices we make every day.’
Over 600,000 Americans and more than 150,000 Brits die of various cancers every year.
As of 2025, The American Cancer Society estimates there are over 2million new cancer cases diagnosed annually.
After studying ‘millions of patient records’ from across the University of California hospitals and spending months reviewing studies on cancer biology, Dr Cuomo revealed what he says are the top habits most likely to cause cancer.
Over 600,000 Americans and more than 150,000 Brits die of various cancers every year
Fast food
The expert called eating fast food ‘slow poison’ – noting that its effects cannot be seen immediately but can cause long-term damage.
Earlier this year, researchers tested more than 300 foods sold at restaurant chains and in grocery stores across America for two microscopic toxins that have been linked to cancer, infertility and autism.
They found that of all fast food restaurants, the salad chain Sweetgreen and Starbucks scored poorest.
Sweetgreen’s Chicken Pesto Parm Salad and Starbucks’ matcha latte was found to contain the highest amount of phthalates, a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and transparent.
Phthalates are commonly used in food packaging materials and studies have shown they imitate the body’s hormones and interfere with the production of – and response to – natural hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
Some phthalates have been linked to certain cancers, particularly breast cancer and lymphoma.
However, Dr Cuomo pointed towards fiber consumption as a critical part of reversing damage as it can help improve gut bacteria, reduce inflammation and keep cells healthy.
The expert called eating fast food ‘slow poison’ – noting that its effects cannot be seen immediately but can cause long-term damage
Smoking and drinking
Smoking causes about 30 percent of overall cancer deaths in the US and is a leading cause of lung, brain, neck and bladder cancer.
Alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast, colon, liver and esophageal cancer. About 20,000 people die of alcohol-related cancers annually.
Researchers in Germany found that a combination of drinking and smoking significantly raises the risk of colon cancer in young Americans.
Dr Raphael Cuomo, a University of California San Diego medical professor
They analyzed two dozen studies comparing regular drinkers and smokers to people who abstained from both.
Just 100 cigarettes in a person’s lifetime – the equivalent of one per week for two years – was linked to a 59 percent higher risk of colon cancer compared to people who have never smoked.
They also found drinking alcohol every day raised the risk of developing early-onset colon cancer by 39 percent, even if it’s just one or two drinks per day.
Alcohol and smoking have both been linked to cancer in the past, as they release chemicals that destroy DNA and cause cells to mutate.
Dr Cuomo noted that the body’s repetitive desire to indulge in junk food and addictive behaviors drives the body to the deadly condition
And each can of beer or glass of wine per day further increased the chance by an additional two percent.
In his book, the professor noted that deep sleep is the ‘most underestimated tool’ to improve damage caused by addictions, such as smoking and drinking.
He explained that during consistent deep sleep, the body performs critical tasks such as repairing tissues, regulating hormones, consolidating memory and clearing metabolic waste.
Stress
A 2024 study presented at the United European Gastroenterology Week by a group of Chinese researchers noted that a combination of chronic stress and anxiety has been linked to colorectal cancer in young people.
They explained when a body is under frequent stress, a number of healthy bacteria that live in the gut start dying off, making it easier for cancer to move in.
When these bacteria die off, tumors grow more quickly, leading to more aggressive, rapidly growing colorectal cancers.
Research from Trinity College in Ireland has suggested these bacteria support the body’s immune system, can protect against virus and bacteria and prevent damage in gut cells.
Apart from this, chronic stress can lead to increased levels of cortisol and other stress hormones in the body that can promote cancer growth and its spread to various parts of the body.
A constant state of stress can also weaken the immune system’s ability to effectively fight off cancer cells.
However, Dr Cuomo believes that there are ways to break free from all addictions and prevent cancer development in the body.
He told DailyMail.com: ‘The real threat is not a single cocktail or slice of cake. It is the craving that drives you back again and again.
‘That craving is what wears down your body’s defenses. I tell people to test their control.
‘Start with one week of abstention. Not forever. Just seven days. That short reset reveals a lot.
‘You learn what your body depends on. During that time, focus on physical recovery. Sleep deeply. Move your body. Eat real food.
‘Spend time with people you trust. Addiction thrives in isolation. Recovery begins with reconnection.’
Additionally, Dr Cuomo suggested engaging in some form of movement such as taking regular walks.
