Study: No Strong Link Found Between Eating Patterns and Colorectal Cancer

There may be no significant link between eating patterns and the risk of colorectal cancer, according to researchers at Albert Einstein College in New York.

Researchers analyzed the eating patterns and the risk of colorectal cancer in 61,463 Swedish women. Four hundred and sixty women developed colorectal cancer during the 10-year follow up.

Investigators reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology that they found no significant link between the risk of colorectal cancer and three patterns of eating:

• A "healthy" diet of fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry, whole-grain breads and low-fat dairy products;
• A"Western" diet of processed and red meats, soda, sweets, refined breads and high-fat dairy products; and
• A "drinker" diet including the intake of alcoholic beverages.

However, researchers said the findings did suggest that eating low amounts of healthy foods may increase the risk of colorectal cancer, and they said a healthy diet might provide some protection for women under age 50.

More studies are needed to analyze the role of eating patterns in predicting the risk of colorectal cancer, advise the researchers.

Other Sources: American Journal of Epidemiology