Diet Pattern Linked to Prostate Cancer Risk

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A diet high in refined grain products, processed meats, red meat and organ meat seems to increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, a Canadian study shows.

Dr. Kristan J. Aronson, of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and colleagues looked into the dietary patterns of 80 men with prostate cancer and 334 cancer-free men being seen at urology clinics.

The participants completed questionnaires about food prior to diagnosis and intake was assessed for the 2 years prior to enrolling in the study.

As described in the International Journal of Cancer, the researchers identified four dietary patterns: Healthy Living, Traditional Western, Processed Diet, and Beverages.

The Processed Diet, which was composed of processed meats, red meats, organ meats, refined grains, onions and tomatoes, vegetable oils and juices, soft drinks, and bottled water, was associated with a more than doubled risk of prostate cancer.

The Traditional Western pattern was rich in red meats, processed meats, organ meats, eggs, milk, dessert, potatoes, mayonnaise, nuts, cream for coffee, tap water, and liquor. This pattern was associated with a slightly increased prostate cancer risk.

The Healthy Living pattern was heavy on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and poultry. The Beverage diet pattern contained tap water, soft drinks and fruit juices, potatoes, poultry and margarine, and the absence of alcohol. Neither of these two patterns were associated with increase prostate cancer risk.

"These results support the idea that consumption of fruits, vegetables and poultry may be associated with decreased prostate cancer risk and consumption of meat, refined grains and possibly soft drinks is associated with increased prostate cancer risk," Dr. Aronson and colleagues conclude.

SOURCE: International Journal of Cancer, September 2005.