In 2003, a study was published in the International Journal of Cancer which reported that eating pizza, one of the typical foods on the Mediterranean diet menu, was linked to lower rates of stomach and colon cancers. Conversely, pizza crust is made with refined carbohydrates, and refined carbs have been linked to higher rates of colorectal cancer. But the researchers suggested that the other ingredients that go into the making of pizza, like olive oil and tomatoes, offset the adverse influence refined carbohydrates present to cancer prevention. And researchers pointed out, when talking about pizza, they are referring to the authentically Italian pizza, with a thin crust and touch of olive oil. The toppings include generous amounts of pizza sauce made with cooked tomatoes, olive oil, herbs and spices. When it comes to the cheese, use sparingly, not generously, or consider substituting an animal-free soya alternative to cheese. Interested in creating a cancer prevention pizza? Following is a list of some toppings known for their power to prevent cancer:

• Tomato -- Tomatoes contain lycopene. Studies show it can help protect against breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer. Cooked tomatoes contain more  lycopene than raw tomatoes do.
• Olives and olive oil --  Olives and olive oil contain the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol and are a flavonoid-rich food. Olive oil phenols protected cells from DNA damage, and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Inflammation is linked to cancers.
• Onions and garlic -- The compound in onion and garlic responsible for its powerful cancer fighting abilities is allyl sulfur. Allyl sulfur slows or prevents the growth of tumor cells. Onions also contain quercitin, a powerful antioxidant known to capture free radicals and halt the production of tumors. Plants in the onion family contain other phytochemicals with antitumor activity.
• Artichoke hearts -- Artichokes are rich in the cancer-fighting nutrients vitamin C, foliate, magnesium and offer plenty of fiber.
• Peppers -- Capsaicin is reported to have cancer-fighting properties in preventing or slowing the growth of cancerous tumors. Capsaicin appears to signal cancer cells to follow pathways leading to their own cellular death.
• Mushrooms -- Compounds found in white button mushrooms are capable of suppressing aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of estrogen. For estrogen positive breast cancers, the suppression of estrogen is important, as estrogen fuels the spread of estrogen-positive breast cancer. In addition, compounds in mushrooms suppressed steroid 5alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, DHT, which, if allowed to rise, can lead to the development of prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate.
• Spinach -- Spinach has at least 13 different flavonoid compounds that work as antioxidants and as anti-cancer agents.