Dietary patterns and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenomas: Nutrition Reviews® Vol. 68(7):389-408 (original) (raw)

Dietary patterns and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenomas

Nutrition Reviews, 2010

The association of colorectal cancer risk with select foods has been evaluated by dietary pattern analysis. This review of the literature was conducted to thoroughly examine the available evidence for the association between dietary patterns and colorectal cancers and adenomas. A total of 32 articles based on worldwide epidemiological studies were identified. Pattern identification was achieved by exploratory data analyses (principal component, factor, and cluster analyses) in most articles, and only a few used a priori-defined scores. Dietary patterns named as healthy, prudent, fruit and vegetables, fat-reduced/diet foods, vegetable/fish/ poultry, fruit/whole grain/dairy, and healthy eating index-2005, recommended food and Mediterranean diet scores were all associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer and the risk estimates varied from 0.45 to 0.90. In contrast, diets named Western, pork-processed meat-potatoes, meat-eaters, meat and potatoes, traditional patterns, and dietary risk and life summary scores were associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer with risk estimates varying from 1.18 to 11.7. Dietary patterns for adenomas were consistent with those identified for colorectal cancer.

Dietary patterns and colorectal cancer

European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2011

Studies on the association between single foods or nutrients and colorectal cancer have provided inconsistent results. Previous reviews did not conduct a quantitative synthesis of the relation with dietary patterns. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies addressing the association between dietary patterns and colorectal cancer. Studies quantifying the association between dietary patterns (defined a posteriori) and colorectal cancer were identified in PubMed (until 01.08.2010) and through backward and forward citation tracking (ISI Web of Science and Scopus). Summary relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed for highest versus lowest levels of exposure, for colon cancer (CC) and rectal cancer (RC), and for proximal and distal CC, by random effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was quantified using the I 2 statistic. Eight cohort and eight case-control studies defining patterns through principal components and factor analyses were included in the systematic review. Meta-analyses were conducted for three patterns: (i) 'drinker, ' characterized by high alcohol consumption (CC: RR combined = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.82-1.12, I 2 = 0.6%; RC: RR combined = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.47-1.45, I 2 = 65.1%); (ii) 'healthy, ' characterized by high fruit/vegetables consumption (CC: RR combined = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70-0.90, I 2 = 55.1%; RC: RR combined = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.89-1.17, I 2 = 10.8%); (iii) 'western, ' characterized by high red/ processed meat consumption (CC: RR combined = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.13-1.48, I 2 = 31.7%; RC: RR combined = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.92-1.39, I 2 = 40.6%). Summary estimates for proximal and distal CC were similar. The risk of CC was increased with patterns characterized by high intake of red and processed meat and decreased with those labelled as 'healthy. ' No significant associations were observed for RC.

Foodstuffs and colorectal cancer risk: A review

Clinical Nutrition, 2006

Background and aims: To assess the relationships between food intake and colorectal cancer risk. Methods: Systematic review of available prospective studies on dietary intake and colorectal cancer. Results: Twelve out of 15 studies found no significant relationship between vegetable intake and colorectal cancer risk; also, 11 out of 14 studies found no relationship with fruit consumption. Conversely, the combined consumption of vegetables and fruit reduced colorectal cancer risk in three out of six studies, although the relationship was somewhat inconsistent between genders and anatomical localizations. Most studies found no relationship between cancer risk and red meat (15 in 20) or processed meat (seven out of 11) consumption; still, most of the reported relative risks were above unity, suggesting that high consumption of red or processed meat might increase colorectal cancer risk. The consumption of white meat, fish/seafood, dairy products, coffee or tea was mostly unrelated to colorectal cancer risk, although the consumption of smoked or salted fish actually increased risk. Conclusions: The relationships between dietary intake and colorectal cancer risk might be less important than previously reported. The combined consumption of vegetables and fruit might be protective, whereas excessive consumption of meat or smoked/salted/processed food appears to be deleterious.

The impact of dietary and lifestyle risk factors on risk of colorectal cancer: A quantitative overview of the epidemiological evidence

International Journal of Cancer, 2009

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer mortality and is considered to be largely attributable to inappropriate lifestyle and behavior patterns. The purpose of this review was to undertake a comparison of the strength of the associations between known and putative risk factors for colorectal cancer by conducting 10 independent meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies. Studies published between 1966 and January 2008 were identified through EMBASE and MEDLINE, using a combined text word and MESH heading search strategy. Studies were eligible if they reported estimates of the relative risk for colorectal cancer with any of the following: alcohol, smoking, diabetes, physical activity, meat, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables. Studies were excluded if the estimates were not adjusted at least for age. Overall, data from 103 cohort studies were included. The risk of colorectal cancer was significantly associated with alcohol: individuals consuming the most alcohol had 60% greater risk of colorectal cancer compared with non- or light drinkers (relative risk 1.56, 95% CI 1.42–1.70). Smoking, diabetes, obesity and high meat intakes were each associated with a significant 20% increased risk of colorectal cancer (compared with individuals in the lowest categories for each) with little evidence of between-study heterogeneity or publication bias. Physical activity was protective against colorectal cancer. Public-health strategies that promote modest alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, weight loss, increased physical activity and moderate consumption of red and processed meat are likely to have significant benefits at the population level for reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer. © 2009 UICC

Fruit and Vegetable Intakes Are Associated with Lower Risk of Colorectal Adenomas

Journal of Nutrition, 2008

Many phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables have been shown to have cancer-inhibitory effects in animal studies. These effects on cancer, however, have not been clearly demonstrated in human studies. This study investigated the association between fruit and vegetable intakes and the risk of adenomatous polyps. Participants were part of the Tennessee Colorectal Polyp Study. Eligible participants aged 40-75 y were recruited from patients undergoing colonoscopy at 2 medical centers in Nashville, Tennessee from 2003 to 2005. Cases had at least one adenoma and controls were polyp free. Dietary intake was assessed using a self-administered FFQ. Associations between dietary intakes and adenoma risk were evaluated using unconditional logistic regression with restricted cubic function spline. In multivariate analyses of 764 cases and 1517 controls, increased intakes of total fruits, berries, fruit juice, and green leafy vegetables were associated with reduced adenoma risk. The odds ratio for upper tertile intake compared with lower was 0.66 (95% CI ¼ 0.51-0.86) for total fruits, 0.64 (95% CI ¼ 0.47-0.87) for berries, 0.72 (95% CI ¼ 0.56-0.92) for fruit juice, and 0.74 (95% CI ¼ 0.58-0.96) for green vegetables. This study provides additional evidence that high total fruit intake and certain fruit and vegetable intakes may be associated with a reduced risk of colorectal adenomas.

Dietary patterns as identified by factor analysis and colorectal cancer among middle-aged Americans1-3

Background: Although diet has long been suspected as an etiological factor for colorectal cancer, studies of single foods and nutrients have provided inconsistent results. Objective: We used factor analysis methods to study associations between dietary patterns and colorectal cancer in middle-aged Americans. Design: Diet was assessed among 293 615 men and 198 767 women in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. Principal components factor analysis identified 3 primary dietary patterns: a fruit and vegetables, a diet foods, and a red meat and potatoes pattern. State cancer registries identified 2151 incident cases of colorectal cancer in men and 959 in women between 1995 and 2000. Results: Men with high scores on the fruit and vegetable pattern were at decreased risk [relative risk (RR) for quintile (Q) 5 versus Q1: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.93; P for trend ҃ 0.004]. Both men and women had a similar risk reduction with high scores on the diet food factor: men (RR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.94; P for trend ҃ 0.001) and women (RR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.71, 1.07; P for trend ҃ 0.06). High scores on the red meat factor were associated with increased risk: men (RR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.35; P for trend ҃ 0.14) and women (RR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.83; P for trend ҃ 0.0002). Conclusions: These results suggest that dietary patterns characterized by a low frequency of meat and potato consumption and frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables and fat-reduced foods are consistent with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer.

Dietary risk factors for colorectal cancer in Brazil: a case control study

Nutrition journal, 2016

High meat intake and low consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains have been associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer in some relevant cohort studies conducted in distinct ethnic populations. The role of the dietary pattern on the risk of sporadic colorectal adenocarcinoma (SCA) in Brazil is unknown; therefore, it was the aim of the present study. The dietary patterns of 169 patients with SCA and 101 controls were analysed by food frequency recall. Crude odds ratios were calculated and given within 95 % confidence intervals. Patients reported higher average intakes of beef (32.0 ± 1.8 versus 23.7 ± 1.6, P = 0.0069), chicken (18.1 ± 0.9 versus 12.2 ± 0.8, P = 0.0002), and pork (8.9 ± 0.9 versus 3.4 ± 0.5, P < 0.0001). These individuals had a 1.025, 1.069, and 1.121-fold increased risk of SCA. Similar consumption of fish, vegetables, fruits and whole grains was reported by patients and controls. Meat consumption is greater in patients with SCA in the Brazilian p...

Food groups and risk of colorectal cancer in Italy

… journal of cancer, 1997

The proportion of colorectal cancer attributed to dietary habits is high, but several inconsistencies remain, especially with respect to the influence of some food groups. To further elucidate the role of dietary habits, 1,225 subjects with cancer of the colon, 728 with cancer of the rectum and 4,154 controls, hospitalized with acute non-neoplastic diseases, were interviewed between 1992 and 1996 in 6 different Italian areas. The validated food-frequency questionnaire included 79 questions on food items and recipes, categorised into 16 food groups. After allowance for non-dietary confounding factors and total energy intake, significant trends of increasing risk of colorectal cancer with increasing intake emerged for bread and cereal dishes (odds ratio [OR] in highest vs. lowest quintile 5 1.7), potatoes (OR 5 1.2), cakes and desserts (OR 5 1.1), and refined sugar (OR 5 1.4). Intakes of fish (OR 5 0.7), raw and cooked vegetables (OR 5 0.6 for both) and fruit other than citrus fruit (OR 5 0.7) showed a negative association with risk. Consumption of eggs and meat (white, red or processed meats) seemed uninfluential. Most findings were similar for colon and rectum, but some negative associations (i.e., coffee and tea, and fish) appeared stronger for colon cancer. Our findings lead us to reconsider the role of starchy foods and refined sugar in light of recent knowledge on the digestive physiology of carbohydrates and the insulin/ colon cancer hypothesis. The beneficial role of most vegetables is confirmed, with more than 20% reduction in risk of colorectal cancer from the addition of one daily serving. Int.

Diet and colorectal cancer: Review of the evidence

Canadian family physician Médecin de famille canadien, 2007

To investigate whether diet has a role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). MEDLINE was searched from January 1966 to December 2006 for articles on the relationship between diet and CRC using the key words colorectal cancer and folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, red meat, or fibre. Evidence that these factors are associated with CRC came from case-control and prospective cohort studies and some clinical trials. Whether red meat is a culprit in causing CRC remains unanswered, although any effect it might have is likely moderate and related to processing or cooking. The effect of dietary fibre on risk of CRC has also been difficult to determine because fibre intake is generally low. Evidence that folic acid, calcium, and vitamin D reduce risk of CRC is stronger. In particular, recent research indicates that calcium and vitamin D might act together, rather than separately, to reduce the risk of colorectal adenomas. There might also be an interaction between low f...