It is now recognised that inadequate diet can trigger the onset of various (cardiovascular, metabolic, neoplastic) diseases. In the field of cancer, in particular, researchers have become increasingly convinced over the years not only of the link between diet and tumour incidence, but also that there may be a hormone factor that increases the likelihood of certain conditions (e.g. breast cancer). Research is also paying increasing attention to the possibility of a genetic factor. In any event, there can be no doubt that a good, balanced diet supplemented by an adequate intake of vitamins (especially A, E, D, C, B6) combined with periodic clinical and instrumental examinations will significantly reduce the incidence of this and other conditions.