When 35-year-old Minh developed a sore throat, he thought it was just stress or a cold. But after weeks without improvement, a specialist diagnosed him with stage 2 throat cancer. After chemotherapy, his doctor gave him unexpected advice: “If you want to protect yourself and your family, throw away these two things from your fridge immediately.”

The doctor pointed to two common cancer risks: **processed meats and sugary drinks**. Processed meats—like bacon, ham, and sausages—contain nitrates and nitrites, which can turn into cancer-causing compounds in the body. Sugary beverages, especially soft drinks with high fructose corn syrup, promote inflammation and obesity—conditions that fuel cancer cells.

Minh’s case reflects a larger problem: young people often ignore persistent symptoms. A sore throat lasting weeks—especially with hoarseness, swallowing trouble, or ear pain—can be a warning sign.

Diet alone may not cause cancer, but it plays a major role. Combined with stress, smoking, and poor sleep, harmful foods create the ideal conditions for disease. Minh now urges others to “think twice before eating or drinking” anything processed, overly sweet, or long-lasting.

His story is a clear reminder: everyday food choices matter more than we think.