Abstract: Cancer is characterized by the malignant cellular growth that tends to spread. It is the second leading cause of death after heart disease. Cancer incidence varies with regions and populations around the world. The incidence of various types of cancer ranges from rare of gallbladder to 12% of most common cancer of lung. In men, the minimum incidence of cancer is that of gallbladder (4.4%) an the maximum is the incidence of lung cancer (18.6%). In women, the minimum incidence of cancer is that of endometrium (3.44%) and the maximum is that of breast cancer (18.18%). Dietary prevention of cancer is also a long term process and it may take 10 to 60 years to have an impact, the time scale depending, to some extent on the type of cancer. The epidemiological data suggest that the major causative factor for the incidence of cancer is environment. The environmental factors causing cancer include diet, radiation, chemicals and tobacco. The diet plays a major role in the development and prevention of cancer. Consumption of more meat, fatty foods of animal origin and salted foods increase the incidence of cancer. Method of preparation like grilling and barbecuing of meat also increase the incidence of cancer. Intake of foods of plant origin reduce the chance of cancer incidence.