The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7247 p609
3 May 2003

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The Lancet (www.thelancet.com)
EPIC: European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (more)

Studies confirm high-fibre diet cuts colon cancer risk

Findings from two studies published this week in The Lancet add to the body of evidence suggesting that a high-fibre diet can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer (2003;361:1491 and 1496). Previous studies have provided conflicting results, with some suggesting that no such protective effect exists.

One of the new studies compared fibre intake among people who had tested negative for adenomas, with fibre intake for people with at least one adenoma in the large distal bowel. People whose diets contained the most fibre had a 27 per cent lower risk for adenoma than those whose diets contained the least fibre. The association was strongest for fibre from grains, cereals and fruits. Fibre intake from vegetables was not associated with reduced adenoma risk.

The second study, which formed part of the European Investigation into Cancer (EPIC), examined the link between dietary fibre intake and colorectal cancer among 519,978 adults from 10 European countries.

The researchers conclude that doubling the intake of dietary fibre among populations with low average intake would reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 40 per cent.