Diet study finds white meats may protect against colon cancer

• A recent study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology revealed that patterns in diet may effect the development of colorectal adenomas, or precancerous polyps of the colon.
• In this study, over 1500 patients underwent baseline colonoscopy to remove existing polyps.
• Those who had consumed diets higher in processed meats showed a greater risk of developing recurrent colorectal adenomas.
• "Our results are consistent with prior studies that suggest certain dietary factors may be important in the development of colon polyps and cancer," states Douglas Robertson, lead researcher of the study and Chief of the Section of Gastroenterology at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, Vermont.
• Previous studies have explored whether fiber intake effects the growth and development of colorectal adenomas and cancer, however, this study found no significant evidence to suggest an association.
• According to the National Cancer Institute and U.S. National Institutes of Health, Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of non-skin cancer in men (after prostate cancer and lung cancer) and in women (after breast cancer and lung cancer).
• It is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States with more than 57,000 people dying from colorectal cancer each year.
• He is currently clinical director of the Vitamin D/Calcium Polyp Prevention Study, a large multi-center trial that aims to determine whether intake of Vitamin D and/or calcium supplements can reduce adenoma recurrence in those with a history of colon adenomas.
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