High Fiber Diet May Not Stave Off Colon Cancer

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Contrary to what is widely believed, consuming a diet high in fiber may not reduce a person's risk of colon cancer, according to a new report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Some previous studies have linked high dietary fiber with a reduced risk of colon cancer, senior author Dr. Stephanie A. Smith-Warner and colleagues note. However, most forward-looking studies and clinical trials have failed to discern such a relationship.

To resolve these discordant results, Smith-Warner at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston and colleagues analyzed data from 13 studies with follow-up times of 6 to 20 years. More than 8,000 cases of colon cancer were included in the analysis.

After accounting for folic acid intake and other dietary factors, consumption of diets high in fiber did not offer significant protection against colon cancer.

Despite this lack of association, the authors note, "a diet high in dietary fiber from whole plant foods can be advised because this has been related to lower risks of other chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes."

SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, December 14, 2005.