Knowledge from the scientific world on lifestyle factors and role of diet on human health has resulted in an intense research for foods and their constituents as modifiers of cancer risk as well as for overall health care. Several large population-based and observational epidemiological studies have highlighted the importance of vegetables and fruits in reducing the risk of cancer in a variety of organs and tissues. Also, different dietary components such as glucosinolates, flavonoids, carotenoids, curcumin, minerals and vitamins have shown convincing modulator effects in prevention of cancer. In India, due to changes in lifestyle factors, there is an emergence of obesity-related diseases including cancer, like the westernized countries. Excess calorie intake, low dietary fiber and high saturated fat intake associated with obesity are considered as possible risk factors of several cancers, which are showing an increasing trend in the country. Proper prevention strategies are needed to decrease the burden of these diseases.