Whole grain consumption and risk of colorectal cancer: a population-based cohort of 60,000 women

S C Larsson, E Giovannucci, L Bergkvist, A Wolk, S C Larsson, E Giovannucci, L Bergkvist, A Wolk

Abstract

We examined prospectively the association between whole grain consumption and colorectal cancer risk in the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort. A total of 61,433 women completed a food-frequency questionnaire at baseline (1987-1990) and, through linkage with the Swedish Cancer Registry, 805 incident cases of colorectal cancer were identified during a mean follow-up of 14.8 years. High consumption of whole grains was associated with a lower risk of colon cancer, but not of rectal cancer. The multivariate rate ratio (RR) of colon cancer for the top category of whole grain consumption (> or = 4.5 servings day(-1)) compared with the bottom category (<1.5 servings day(-1)) was 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.47-0.96; P-value for trend=0.06). The corresponding RR after excluding cases occurring within the first 2 years of follow-up was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.45-0.94; P-value for trend=0.04). Our findings suggest that high consumption of whole grains may decrease the risk of colon cancer in women.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Multivariate RR and 95% CI of colon cancer according to cereal fibre intake. Multivariate RRs were adjusted for age, body mass index (quartiles), education (less than high school, high school, or university), total energy intake (continuous), and quartiles of intakes of saturated fat, calcium, red meat, fruits, and vegetables. RR=rate ratios; CI=confidence intervals.

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