For those who can’t quit smoking yet, eating a variety of vegetables and fruits may help in decreasing your chances of getting lung cancer.

H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita of National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands says that eating different types of fruits and vegetables may lower risk of lung cancer.

"Fruits and vegetables contain many different bioactive compounds, and it makes sense to assume that it is important that you not only eat the recommended amounts, but also consume a rich mix of these bioactive compounds by consuming a large variety," Bueno-de-Mesquita said.

In a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, involving more than 450,000 people in Europe, including 1,600 who were diagnosed with lung cancer, it was found the risk of squamous cell carcinoma decreased substantially when a variety of fruits and vegetables were eaten by subjects.

While previous research has shown the influence of the quantity of fruits and vegetables on cancer development, Stephen Hecht, editorial board member for Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, said this is one of the first to evaluate diversity of fruit and vegetable consumption, rather than quantity.

"The results are very interesting and demonstrate a protective effect in smokers," he said.

"Nevertheless, the public should be made aware and be reminded that the only proven way to reduce your risk for lung cancer is to avoid tobacco in all its forms," he ended. (With reports from AFP)