"Western Diet" May Increase Women's Risk of Colon Cancer
National Study Shows Consistent Link

BOSTON (Feb. 10, 2002) - Women who eat foods primarily from the "Western diet" (one high in red meats, sweets and desserts, french fries, and refined grains) have a 50% greater risk of colon cancer than those who consume few Western foods in their diet, according to a national study published today (Feb. 10) in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The study, led by Professor Teresa Fung of the department of nutrition at the Simmons College School of Health Studies in Boston with researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, looked at associations between major dietary patterns and the risk of colon and rectal cancer in women.

According to the article, previous studies have found associations between foods or nutrients and risk of colorectal cancer, but results have not always been consistent.

"We have identified a dietary pattern of 'Western foods' that women should look at carefully," said Fung. "Women should look at their diets and consume less of those foods, and instead eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and the like, which may help reduce their risk of colon cancer."

The researchers used dietary information collected in 1984, 1986, 1990 and 1994 from 76,402 women ages 38-63 without a history of cancer in 1984. The women were participants in the Nurses' Health Study, which started in 1976 when 121,700 female nurses ages 30-55 in 11 states, answered questionnaires on medical, lifestyle and other health-related information. Two major dietary patterns were identified: "prudent" and "Western." Women classified as prudent eaters ate more fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish, poultry and whole grains, while their Western diet counterparts consumed more processed and red meats, sweets and desserts, french fries and refined grains.

During the 12 years of follow up, Fung and the other researchers identified 445 cases of colon cancer and 101 cases of rectal cancer. They observed a roughly 50 percent increase in risk for colon cancer in women ranked "most" Western eaters, vs. the mildest Western eaters. There were no associations between dietary patterns and rectal cancer.

The authors write: "In conclusion, we found that a diet high in red and processed meats, refined grains, and other characteristics of the Western pattern was associated with a higher risk of colon cancer in women. On the other hand, a diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables and other characteristics of the prudent pattern may be inversely associated with colon cancer. Our study provided further evidence that switching from a typical Western diet to a more prudent diet may reduce the risk of colon cancer."

(Arch Intern Med. 2003; 163:309-314. Available post embargo at jarchinternmed.com.) This work was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, and by the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, Studio City, CA.

Note to reporters: for further information, a copy of the study, or to reach Prof. Fung, contact Katie Fiermonti at Simmons College at 617-521-2369.

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