A group of short-screening tests were used to investigate the preventive effects of tea polyphenols and tea pigments on different phases (initiation, promotion and progression) of carcinogenesis. The results showed that tea polyphenols and tea pigments significantly inhibited the mutation and micronuclei formation induced by MMC. They also significantly inhibited the colonizing ability of Hela cells in soft agar and the survival of Hela cells, and showed significant inhibitive effect on the carcinogenicity of TPA; In addition, tea polyphenols and tea pigments inhibited the growth of solid tumors of mice. In conclusion, tea polyphenols and tea pigments had inhibitory effects over the three phases of carcinogenesis under the present conditions.