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.
They were then given a survey about their diet. After
a period of one and then four years later, the group underwent
follow-up colonoscopies to determine if any polyps had
returned. Those who had consumed diets higher in processed
meats showed a greater risk of developing recurrent colorectal
adenomas. Those with diets high in certain white meats,
like chicken, were less prone to this risk.
"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. The same was determined
for dietary intake of fat and red meat.
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.
