Melanoma And Citrus: Orange Juice, Grapefruit Consumption May Increase Skin Cancer Risk

Could drinking orange juice or eating grape fruit increase your melanoma risk, the deadliest form of skin cancer?

New findings published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology showed a link between those who consume orange juice or whole grapefruit on a continual period of time to a higher risk skin sensitivity that may increase their risk for cancer.  

"At this point in time it is not a good idea to avoid citrus fruits," said study author Dr. Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health, who worked on the study, in a news release. 

For the study, researchers looked at over 100,000 Americans-40,000 of whom took part in the ongoing Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and over 60,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study, with both studies spanning a period of over 25 years and covering information on diet, habits and other personal matters, including a look out for certain diseases.

Findings revealed that while melanoma risk was low, affecting fewer than 2 percent of participants in the study, the risk was about 26 percent higher in those who ate or drank at least 1.6 six-ounce servings of citrus fruit or juice daily when compared to counterparts who consumed a similar amount of less twice a week.

However, the study results showed no link between whole orange or grapefruit juice ingestion and greater melanoma risk.

Researchers advised wearing sunscreen, staying in the shade and wearing hats to help protect against any added risk, particularly when consuming citrus fruits. However, they noted that avoiding orange juice or grape fruit is not necessary, nor would it help prevent the health issue. 

"This is a potentially important study, given that citrus consumption is widely promulgated as an important dietary constituent and has demonstrated benefit for coronary heart disease, cancer prevention, and overall health effects," Marianne Berwick, of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico, wrote in her editorial, according to My Central Oregon. "At this point in time, a public overreaction leading to avoidance of citrus products is to be avoided."

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