Dietary fiber cuts colorectal cancer risk

Colorectal cancer is common and deadly, but the disease can be prevented easily in most cases.   A new study published in the June 22, 2012 issue of PLoS One suggests that eating lots of fiber-rich foods can decrease the risk of colorectal cancer drastically.

The study led by N. Murphy of  School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom and colleagues showed intake of an additional 10 grams of total dietary fiber per day was associated with a 13 percent reduced risk of colorectal cancer.

An early analysis of data from the same EPIC study showed that dietary fiber intake was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk.  But some other large cohort studies do not support the results.  The current study considered data collected from the study during a longer follow-up. During an average follow-up of 11 years, 4,517 incident cases of colorectal cancer were identified. Fiber intake was estimated at baseline.

Total fiber intake was also found inversely associated with colon cancer and rectal cancer.  Colorctal cancer refers to a combination of both so the findings are reasonable.

The associations were not affected by factors including age, sex, or anthropometric, lifestyle, and dietary variables did not affect the associations, the researchers reported.

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