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Diet Rich In Fruits, Vegetables Lowers Risk Of Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers

Intake of whole grains and fibre derived from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of upper aerodigestive tract (UAT) cancers.

Norwegian and American researchers say they confirmed the results of earlier research on the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables by studying the effects on UAT cancers in 34,651 post-menopausal women.

They examined the association between whole-grain intake and incident UAT cancers. They also studied risk factors for UAT cancers, including fruit and vegetable intake, smoking and use of alcohol.

Participants were questioned at baseline in 1986 on how often they included various foods in their diets. They were also assessed for other cancer risk factors.

Investigators from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, the University of Oslo and Duke University Medical Centre in Durham, North Carolina followed the participants for 14 years and report that 169 women developed UAT cancer.

For all UAT cancers, the researchers observed significant inverse associations for the highest compared to the lowest tertile of intake of whole grains and yellow/orange vegetables.

Women in the highest compared to the lowest tertile of fibre intake from whole grain were less likely to develop UAT cancer. They note that fibre intake from refined grain was not significantly associated with UAT cancer.

The researchers say findings were generally similar for various UAT cancers, although the numbers reported were too small for statistical testing of individual cancers.

Results indicate participants developed 53 oropharyngeal, 21 laryngeal, 18 nasopharyngeal/salivary, 21 esophageal and 56 gastric cancers.
International Journal of Cancer, 2002; 99: 267-272. "Dietary risk factors for upper aerodigestive tract cancers"

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