05-03-2003, 01:39 AM
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Western Diet Linked to Colon Cancer in Women
(soc.men.moderator) wrote in message . com...
"Western" Diet Linked to Colon Cancer in Women
Mon Feb 24,10:17 PM ET
Women who follow a typical "Western" diet?characterized by higher
intakes of processed and red meats, refined grains, sweets, and
desserts?may be more likely to develop colon cancer, according to new
research.
Teresa Fung, ScD, and colleagues from Harvard University reached this
conclusion after following more than 75,000 women for a period of 12
years. They published their results in the Archives of Internal
Medicine (news - web sites) (Vol. 163: 309-314).
Of All Cancers, Colorectal Most Affected By Diet
The idea of a connection between diet and cancer is not new. In fact,
it is estimated that about one third of all the cancer deaths in the
US each year can be attributed to diet and physical activity habits.
Among the various types of cancers, colorectal cancer seems most
likely to be influenced by what people eat. Many studies have linked
colorectal cancer to poor eating habits, but teasing out exactly what
increases the risk has been difficult.
Several studies have found that diets high in vegetables and fruits
may be linked to decreased risk, while diets high in red meat have
been associated with an increased risk.
Researchers are trying to determine if antioxidants (or lack thereof),
fiber, or some other nutrients are responsible for the effect. Newer
laboratory techniques are now allowing them to make slow but steady
progress on a molecular level.
"Prudent" Overall Dietary Pattern Is Of Benefit
For the current study, instead of looking at the effects of particular
foods, the researchers decided to examine overall dietary patterns.
They used data from the Nurses' Health Study, which began back in
1976.
Part of the study included filling out a dietary questionnaire every
few years, beginning in 1984. The questionnaire asked how often the
nurses ate 116 specific food items. More than 76,000 women completed
the questionnaires up through 1994, and were followed through 1996.
The researchers assessed how closely each woman followed one of two
dietary patterns. The "Western" pattern included large amounts of
refined grains, processed and red meats, desserts, high-fat dairy
products, and French fries. The other pattern, which the researchers
termed "prudent," consisted of more fruits and vegetables, whole
grains, legumes, poultry, and fish.
After adjusting for other factors such as age, tobacco and alcohol
use, and physical activity, the researchers found that women who most
closely followed the Western diet were significantly more likely to
develop colon cancer than those who followed it less closely.
Women who closely followed the prudent dietary pattern were less
likely to develop colon cancer than those who did not, although the
difference was not as strong.
Similar results have been found in most other studies, the researchers
pointed out, although some did not find such a strong link. Still, the
results may provide some simple suggestions for lowering risk.
"Our study provides further evidence that switching from a typical
Western diet to a more prudent diet may reduce the risk of colon
cancer," they concluded.
What You Can Do
Diet may be only one part of the overall picture in reducing
colorectal cancer risk.
Until researchers are better able to pinpoint exactly how certain
factors affect the way colon cancer develops, the American Cancer
Society (news - web sites) recommends making the best use of current
knowledge to lower your risk. This includes increasing the intensity
and duration of physical activity, eating more fruits and vegetables,
limiting intake of red meats, avoiding obesity, and avoiding excessive
alcohol consumption.
ACS News Today
There was a recent study that compared the Japanese intake of beef to
the traditional diet. It wasn't surprising that heart disease was
found in the meat-eating group.
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