No Clear Link between Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Colon Cancer

No Clear Link between Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Colon Cancer Risk

According to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, higher intake of fruits and vegetables does not appear to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. The disease develops in the colon (the longest part of the large intestine) or the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine). It may start as a precancerous growth known as an adenomatous polyp or adenoma.

Researchers have long hypothesized that dietary factors may contribute to the development of colon cancer. Studies have generally reported that high intake of red meat increases colon cancer risk, but the relationship with fruit and vegetable intake is less clear.

To summarize available information about the link between fruit and vegetable intake and risk of colon cancer, researchers combined information from 14 prospective studies. In a prospective study of diet and cancer incidence, all study participants are free of cancer at the time the study begins and diet is assessed. Study participants are then followed forward in time to see who develops cancer.

The combined analysis included information from 756,217 men and women, 5,838 of whom developed colon cancer.

Overall, higher intake of fruits and/or vegetables was not linked with a reduced risk of colon cancer.
There was a suggestion that fruit and vegetable intake may reduce the risk of distal colon cancer (cancer in the part of the colon above the rectum).
Results were generally similar for men and women.
Although this study suggests that higher fruit and vegetable intake does not significantly reduce overall colon cancer risk, fruits and vegetables have other health benefits and remain an important part of a healthy diet.

Reference: Koushik A, Hunter DJ, Spiegelman D et al. Fruits, vegetables, and colon cancer risk in a pooled analysis of 14 cohort studies. Journal of the National Cancer Institute [early online publication]. September 25, 2007.