The Link between Food Environment and Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review (original) (raw)

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

The role of dietary patterns in colorectal cancer: a 2019 update

Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2020

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem, both in terms of incidence and mortality. Lifestyle, particularly diet, plays an important role in the development of this cancer. Areas covered: The aim of the present review was to provide an overview of systematic reviews/meta-analysis published in the last 10 years regarding the association between dietary patterns and CRC risk. Three databases were explored (Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science), and 13 articles were finally included. The most common a priori methods used were Healthy Eating Index, Mediterranean diet, and Dietary Inflammatory Index, while factor or principal component analyses, cluster analysis and reduced rank regression were the most frequent a posteriori methods used. All the studies analyzed in the present review showed that a diet characterized mainly by a high intake of fruits and vegetables and low intake of red and processed meats decreased the risk of CRC. Expert opinion: Important nutritional health campaigns and CRC screening programs are being done across the globe; nevertheless, we believe that those strategies are still inadequate as CRC incidence is increasing worldwide More effort is required at different institutional levels and public health policy advice to help the population shift towards healthier dietary habits.

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.

Role of Diet in Colorectal Cancer Incidence

JAMA Network Open

IMPORTANCE Several meta-analyses have summarized evidence for the association between dietary factors and the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, to date, there has been little synthesis of the strength, precision, and quality of this evidence in aggregate. OBJECTIVE To grade the evidence from published meta-analyses of prospective observational studies that assessed the association of dietary patterns, specific foods, food groups, beverages (including alcohol), macronutrients, and micronutrients with the incidence of CRC. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to September 2019. EVIDENCE REVIEW Only meta-analyses of prospective observational studies with a cohort study design were eligible. Evidence of association was graded according to established criteria as follows: convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or not significant. RESULTS From 9954 publications, 222 full-text articles (2.2%) were evaluated for eligibility, and 45 meta-analyses (20.3%) that described 109 associations between dietary factors and CRC incidence were selected. Overall, 35 of the 109 associations (32.1%) were nominally statistically significant using random-effects meta-analysis models; 17 associations (15.6%) demonstrated large heterogeneity between studies (I 2 > 50%), whereas small-study effects were found for 11 associations (10.1%). Excess significance bias was not detected for any association between diet and CRC. The primary analysis identified 5 (4.6%) convincing, 2 (1.8%) highly suggestive, 10 (9.2%) suggestive, and 18 (16.5%) weak associations between diet and CRC, while there was no evidence for 74 (67.9%) associations. There was convincing evidence of an association of intake of red meat (high vs low) and alcohol (Ն4 drinks/d vs 0 or occasional drinks) with the incidence of CRC and an inverse association of higher vs lower intakes of dietary fiber, calcium, and yogurt with CRC risk. The evidence for convincing associations remained robust following sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This umbrella review found convincing evidence of an association between lower CRC risk and higher intakes of dietary fiber, dietary calcium, and yogurt and lower intakes of alcohol and red meat. More research is needed on specific foods for which evidence remains suggestive, including other dairy products, whole grains, processed meat, and specific dietary patterns.

Role of Diet in Colorectal Cancer Incidence: Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Prospective Observational Studies

2021

IMPORTANCE Several meta-analyses have summarized evidence for the association between dietary factors and the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, to date, there has been little synthesis of the strength, precision, and quality of this evidence in aggregate. OBJECTIVE To grade the evidence from published meta-analyses of prospective observational studies that assessed the association of dietary patterns, specific foods, food groups, beverages (including alcohol), macronutrients, and micronutrients with the incidence of CRC. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to September 2019. EVIDENCE REVIEW Only meta-analyses of prospective observational studies with a cohort study design were eligible. Evidence of association was graded according to established criteria as follows: convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or not significant. RESULTS From 9954 publications, 222 full-text articles (2.2%) were evaluated for ...

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.

Subsite-Specific Dietary Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Cohort Studies

Journal of Oncology, 2013

Objective. A shift in the total incidence from left-to right-sided colon cancer has been reported and raises the question as to whether lifestyle risk factors are responsible for the changing subsite distribution of colon cancer. The present study provides a review of the subsite-specific risk estimates for the dietary components presently regarded as convincing or probable risk factors for colorectal cancer: red meat, processed meat, fiber, garlic, milk, calcium, and alcohol. Methods. Studies were identified by searching PubMed through October 8, 2012 and by reviewing reference lists. Thirty-two prospective cohort studies are included, and the estimates are compared by sex for each risk factor. Results. For alcohol, there seems to be a stronger association with rectal cancer than with colon cancer, and for meat a somewhat stronger association with distal colon and rectal cancer, relative to proximal colon cancer. For fiber, milk, and calcium, there were only minor differences in relative risk across subsites. No statement could be given regarding garlic. Overall, many of the subsite-specific risk estimates were nonsignificant, irrespective of exposure. Conclusion. For some dietary components the associations with risk of cancer of the rectum and distal colon appear stronger than for proximal colon, but not for all.

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...