Healthy Diet Reduces Cancer Risk

Although scientific data on nutrition serves as the basis for recommendations for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, there is not much data on whether this nutritional plan will reduce the incidence of cancer. Researchers from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis examined the association between the Dietary Guidelines and incidence of cancer.

For the study, researchers included data on 34,708 postmenopausal women. Women were asked to report their consumption of 127 food items over the last year. The list included fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, meat, poultry, seafood, egg items, breads, beverages and sweets. Daily intake of nutrients were calculated from food frequency. Researchers also noted the incidence of cancer.

Researchers found women who followed the dietary guidelines had a lower risk of cancer. Specifically, the risk in the postmenopausal women was reduced for cancer of the colon, bronchus and lung, breast and uterus. However, better compliance with the dietary guidelines was associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, but its incidence is a small proportion of total cancer.

In an accompanying editorial, researchers from Harvard School of Public Health comment, "There is good news. Next to smoking cessation, weight control and increased physical activity appear to be crucial lifestyle behaviors that can reduce the risk not only of cancer but of several other chronic disorders."

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2002;76:889-896

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