Eating fruit is widely considered a healthy habit, but a 38-year-old woman discovered the hard way that too much can be harmful. Dr. Chen Rongjian, a surgical specialist, shared a clinical case in which the woman discovered a lump in her breast and was later diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer—despite having none of the typical risk factors. She had no family history, didn’t smoke or drink, maintained a regular routine, had given birth, and was not exposed to radiation, yet her long-term habit of consuming large amounts of fruit led to excessive carbohydrate intake, triggering chronic inflammation and raising her breast cancer risk by 67% compared to the general population.
Dr. Chen explained that the patient considered herself health-conscious and avoided sweets, instead replacing desserts with fruits. However, she overlooked that many fruits—such as watermelon, mango, lychee, longan, and pineapple—are naturally high in sugar. Consuming these in large quantities daily can be as sugar-heavy as eating desserts. The doctor emphasized: “It’s not that you cannot eat fruit, but it must be in moderation.”
Excessive carbohydrates can keep the body in a chronic inflammatory state, which is an environment that promotes cancer cell growth. Studies indicate that people who consume high amounts of carbs have a 67% higher chance of developing breast cancer. If protein intake is insufficient, the imbalance can further disrupt cell regeneration, increasing the risk of abnormal cell growth and cancer development.
Dr. Chen stressed that cancer originates from one’s own cells. Instead of eliminating individual foods, a balanced diet is key. He recommends maintaining proportional intake of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates at each meal, avoiding excessive carbs while neglecting protein, which can impair cellular repair and regeneration.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and National Cancer Registry, breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Taiwanese women, with over 10,000 cases annually and roughly 2,000 deaths. On average, 31 women are diagnosed daily, and six die each day. Health authorities recommend mammograms every two years for women over 40 (free of charge) and screening every 1–3 years for women over 50 to reduce mortality.
Dr. Chen concluded: “Don’t let ‘healthy eating’ turn into ‘feeding disease.’ Many people believe that more fruit and natural sugar mean better health, but overconsumption can backfire. True health requires balanced nutrition, regular routines, moderate exercise, and stress management to effectively reduce cancer risk.
