Linda Arpino, MA, RD, CDN Responds:

A few years ago, you might remember hearing that tomatoes were the possible ticket to prevention of prostate cancer. Some researchers singled out lycopene—a type of carotenoid that tomatoes contain—as a substance that may help prevent damage to DNA. But study results overall have been mixed. And according to the FDA, there is very limited evidence so far to support an association between tomato consumption and reduced risk of prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) agrees that the picture is inconclusive but research is sure to continue. Until then, tomatoes are still a smart food to enjoy—they’re just not a magic solution.

So does diet make any difference in cancer risk? According to the ACS, eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and eating less red meat and less fat and saturated fat may help to reduce your risk of many types of cancer.