A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reveals that phosphates, which are commonly added to certain foods such as soda and processed cheese, may "stimulate" the development of cancer. The four-week program found that increased intake of inorganic phosphates strongly stimulates lung cancer development in mice.

What has this to do with asbestos related lung cancer? Well, the research team are proposing future studies, which will focus on humans who are suffering from certain types of lung cancer, including mesothelioma, and will likely measure their level of daily phosphate intake prior to their cancer diagnosis.

This will allow the team to determine whether or not these individuals were more likely to develop cancer because of a high level of inorganic phosphates.

BBC