Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The relationship between dietary fat intake and risk of colorectal cancer: evidence from the combined analysis of 13 case-control studies

  • Published:
Cancer Causes & Control Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the intakeof dietary fat upon colorectal cancer risk in a combined analysis of datafrom 13 case-control studies previously conducted in populations withdiffering colorectal cancer rates and dietary practices. Original datarecords for 5,287 cases of colorectal cancer and 10,470 controls werecombined. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (OR)for intakes of total energy, total fat and its components, and cholesterol.Positive associations with energy intake were observed for 11 of the 13studies. However, there was little, if any, evidence of anyenergy-independent effect of either total fat with ORs of 1.00, 0.95, 1.01,1.02, and 0.92 for quintiles of residuals of total fat intake (P trend =0.67) or for saturated fat with ORs of 1.00, 1.08, 1.06, 1.21, and 1.06 (Ptrend = 0.39). The analysis suggests that, among these case-control studies,there is no energy-independent association between dietary fat intake andrisk of colorectal cancer. It also suggests that simple substitution of fatby other sources of calories is unlikely to reduce meaningfully the risk ofcolorectal cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Prentice RL, Sheppard L. Dietary fat and cancer: Consistency of the epidemiologic data and disease prevention that may follow form a practical reduction in fat consumption. Cancer Causes Control 1990; 1: 81–97.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Nigro ND, Singh DV, Campbell RL, Sook M. Effect of dietary beef fat on intestinal tumor formation by azoxymethane in rats. JNCI 1975; 54: 439–42.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Reddy BS, Narisawa T, Vukusich D, Weisburger JH, Wynder EL. Effect of quality and quantity of dietary fat and dimethylhydrazine in colon carcinogenesis in rats. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1976; 151: 237–9.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Broitman SA, Vitale JJ, Vavrousek-Jakuba E, Gottlieb LS. Polyunsaturated fat, cholesterol and large bowel tumorigenesis. Cancer 1977; 40: 2455–63.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kritchevsky D, Weber MM, Buck CL, Klurfeld DM. Calories, fat and cancer. Lipids 1986; 21: 272–4.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Klurfeld DM, Weber MM, Krichevsky D. Inhibition of chemically induced mammary and colon tumor promotion by caloric restriction in rats fed increased dietary fat. Cancer Res 1987; 47: 2759–62.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Rosner BA, Speizer FE. Relation of meat, fat, and fiber intake to the risk of colon cancer in a prospective study among women. New Engl J Med 1990; 323: 1664–72.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bostick RM, Potter JD, Kushi LH, et al. Sugar, meat, and fat intake, and non-dietary risk factors for colon cancer incidence in Iowa women (United States). Cancer Causes Control 1994; 5: 38–52.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Goldbohm RA, van den Brandt PA, van 't Veer P, et al. A prospective cohort study on the relation between meat consumption and the risk of colon cancer. Cancer Res 1994; 54: 718–23.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Willett C, Stampfer MJ. Total energy intake: Implications for epidemiologic analyses. Am J Epidemiol1986; 124: 17–27.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Willett WC, Howe GR, Kushi LH. Adjustment for total energy intake in epidemiologic studies. Am J Nutr (in press).

  12. Howe GR, Benito E, Castelleto R, et al. Dietary intake of fiber and decreased risk of cancers of the colon and rectum: evidence from the combined analysis of 13 case-control studies: JNCI 1992; 84: 1887–96.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Iscovich JM, L'Abbé KA, Castelleto R, et al. Colon cancer in Argentina. Part I: Risk from intake of dietary items. Int J Cancer 1992; 51: 851–7.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Iscovich JM, L'Abbé KA, Castelleto R, et al. Colon cancer in Argentina. Part II: Risk from fibre, fat and nutrients. Int J Cancer 1992; 51: 858–61.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Potter JD, McMichael AJ. Diet and cancer of the colon and rectum: A case-control study. JNCI 1986; 76: 557–69.

    Google Scholar 

  16. McMichael AJ, Potter JD. Diet and colon cancer: Integration of the descriptive analytic and metabolic epidemiology. Fourth symposium on Epidemiology and Cancer Registries in the Pacific Basin. NCI Monogr 1985; 69: 223–8.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kune G, Kune S, Field B, Watson L. The nutritional causes of large bowel cancer. Data from the Melbourne colorectal cancer study and a 25 year world literature overview 1965-1989. In: Prasad KN and Meyskens FL, Jr., eds. Nutrients and Cancer Prevention. Clifton, NJ (USA): Humana Press, 1990: 241–59.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Kune S, Kune GA, Watson LF. Case control study of dietary etiological factors: The Melbourne colorectal cancer study. Nutr Cancer 1987; 9: 21–42.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kune GA, Kune S. The nutritional aspects of colorectal cancer: An introduction to the Melbourne study. Nutr Cancer 1987; 9: 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kune S, Kune GA, Watson LF. Observations on the reliability and validity of the design and diet history method in the Melbourne colorectal cancer study. Nutr Cancer 1987; 9: 5–20.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Kune S, Kune GA, Watson LF. Case-control study of alcoholic beverages as etiological factors: The Melbourne colorectal cancer study. Nutr Cancer 1987; 9: 43–56.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kune GA, Kune S, Watson LF. Dietary sodium and potassium intake and colorectal cancer risk. Nutr Cancer 1989; 12: 351–9.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kune GA, Kune S, Watson LF. Body weight and physical activity as predictors of colorectal cancer risk. Nutr Cancer 1990; 13: 9–17.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Tuyns AJ, Haelterman M, Kaaks R. Colorectal cancer and the intake of nutrients: Oligosaccharides are a risk factor, fats are not. A case-control study in Belgium. Nutr Cancer 1987; 10: 181–96.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Jain M, Cook GM, Davis FG, Grace MG, Howe GR, Miller AB. A case-control study of diet and colo-rectal cancer. Int J Cancer 1980; 26: 757–68.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Whittemore AS, Wu-Williams AH, Lee M, et al. Diet, physical activity, and colorectal cancer among Chinese in North America and China. JNCI 1990; 82: 915–26.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Macquart-Moulin G, Riboli E, Cornée J, Charnay B, Berthezene P, Day N. Case-control study on colorectal cancer and diet in Marseille. Int J Cancer 1986; 38: 183–91.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Riboli E, Cornée J, Macquart-Moulin G, Kaaks R, Casagrande C, Guyader M. Cancer and polyps of the colo-rectum and lifetime consumption of beer and other alcoholic beverages. Am J Epidemiol1991; 134: 157–66.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Manousos O, Day NE, Trichopoulos D, Gerovassilis F, Tzonou A, Polychronopoulou A. Diet and colorectal cancer: A case-control study in Greece. Int J Cancer 1983; 32: 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Papadimitriou CH, Day N, Tzonou A. Biosocial correlates of colorectal cancer in Greece. Int J Epidemiol1984; 13: 155–9.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Lee HP, Gourley L, Duffy SW, Esteve J, Lee J, Day NE. Colorectal cancer and diet in an Asian population-a case-control study among Singapore Chinese. Int J Cancer 1989; 43: 1007–16.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Benito E, Obrador A, Stiggelbout A, et al. A population-based case-control study of colorectal cancer in Majorca. I. Dietary Factors. Int J Cancer 1990; 45: 69–76.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Benito E, Stiggelbout A, Bosch FY, et al. Nutritional factors in colorectal cancer risk: A case-control study in Majorca. Int J Cancer 1991; 49: 161–7.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Peters RK, Pike MC, Chang WWL, Mack TM. Reproductive factors and colon cancer. Br J Cancer 1990; 60: 741–8.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Peters RK, Mack TM, Garabrant DH, et al. Calcium and colon cancer in Los Angeles County. In: Lipkin M, Newmark HL, Kelloff G, eds. Calcium, Vitamin D, and Prevention of Colon Cancer. Boston, MA (USA): CRC Press, 1991: 113–20.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Garabrant DH, Peters RK, Homa DM. Asbestos and colon cancer: Lack of association in a large case-control study. Am J Epidemiol1992; 135: 843–53.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Peters RK, Pike MC, Garabrant D, Mack TM. Diet and colon cancer in Los Angeles County, California. Cancer Causes Control 1992; 3: 457–73.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Slattery ML, Sorenson AW, Mahoney AW, French TK, Kritchevsky D, Street JC. Diet and colon cancer: assessment of risk by fiber type and food source. JNCI 1988; 80: 1474–80.

    Google Scholar 

  39. West DW, Slattery ML, Robison LM, et al. Dietary intake and colon cancer: sex and anatomic site-specific associations. Am J Epidemiol1989; 130: 883–94.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Graham S, Marshall J, Haughey B, et al. Dietary epidemiology of cancer of the colon in western New York. Am J Epidemiol1988; 128: 490–503.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Gerhardsson DE, Verdier M, Hagman U, Steineck G, Rieger A, Norell SA. Diet, body mass and colorectal cancer: A case-reference study in Stockholm. Int J Cancer 1990; 46: 832–8.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Breslow NE, Day NE. Statistical Methods in Cancer Research, Vol. 1. The Analysis of Case-control Studies. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1980; IARC Sci. Pub. No. 32.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Howe GR, Miller AB, Jain M. Re: 'Total Energy Intake: Implications for Epidemiologic Analyses' by W. Willett and M.J. Stampfer [Letter]. Am J Epidemiol1986; 124: 157–9.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Pike MC, Bernstein L, Peters RK. Re: 'Total energy intake: Implications for epidemiologic analyses' by Willett and Stampfer [Letter]. Am J Epidemiol1989; 129: 1312–3.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Howe GR. Re: 'Total energy intake: Implications for epidemiologic analyses' by Willett and Stampfer [Letter]. Am J Epidemiol1989; 129: 1314–5.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Howe GR. Energy adjustment of macronutrients: Another view. Presentation in Session 'Energy Adjustment' at Harvard School of Public Health Conference on Dietary Assessment Methods, Combining Theory and Practice. Boston, MA (USA), January 1995.

  47. Potter JD, Slattery ML, Bostick RM, Gapstur SM. Colon cancer: A review of the epidemiology. Epidemiol Rev 1993; 15: 499–545.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Steinmetz KA, Potter JD. Egg consumption and cancer of the colon and rectum. Eur J Cancer Prev 1994; 3: 237–45.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Slattery ML, Potter J, Caan B, et al. Energy balance and colon cancer-beyond physical activity. Cancer Res 1997; 57: 75–80.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Committee on Diet and Health, National Research Council. Implications for Reducing Chronic Disease Risk. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Epidemiology, Columbia University School of Public Health, New York, USA

    Geoffrey R. Howe

  2. Community Health and Epidemiology, Queens University, Kingston, Canada

    Kristan J. Aronson

  3. Unitat d'Epidemiologia i Registre de Cancer de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    Enrique Benito

  4. Department of Pathology, La Plata National University, La Plata, Argentina

    Roberto Castelleto

  5. INSERM, Lyon, France

    Jacqueline Cornée

  6. Biostatistics Unit, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK

    Stephen Duffy

  7. Cancer Control Agency of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Richard P. Gallagher

  8. Ministry of Health Jerusalem, Israel Center for Registration of Cancer and Allied Diseases, Israel

    José M. Iscovich

  9. Chejiang Medical University Hangcho, People's Republic of China

    Jiao Deng-ao & Zheng Shu

  10. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France

    Rudolf Kaaks, Elio Riboli & Albert Tuyns

  11. Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Gabriel A. Kune, Susan Kune & Lyndsey F. Watson

  12. Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Hin P. Lee

  13. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, USA

    Marion Lee

  14. Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Anthony B. Miller

  15. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA

    Ruth K. Peters & Anna H. Wu-Williams

  16. Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA

    John D. Potter

  17. Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA

    Martha L. Slattery

  18. Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA

    Dimitrios Trichopoulos

  19. Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Anastasia Tzonou

  20. Department of Health Research and Policy, Division of Epidemiology, Stanford University, Stanford, USA

    Alice S. Whittemore

Authors
  1. Geoffrey R. Howe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kristan J. Aronson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Enrique Benito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roberto Castelleto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jacqueline Cornée
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Stephen Duffy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Richard P. Gallagher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. José M. Iscovich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Jiao Deng-ao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Rudolf Kaaks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Gabriel A. Kune
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Susan Kune
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Hin P. Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Marion Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. Anthony B. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  16. Ruth K. Peters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  17. John D. Potter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  18. Elio Riboli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  19. Martha L. Slattery
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  20. Dimitrios Trichopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  21. Albert Tuyns
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  22. Anastasia Tzonou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  23. Lyndsey F. Watson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  24. Alice S. Whittemore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  25. Anna H. Wu-Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  26. Zheng Shu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Howe, G.R., Aronson, K.J., Benito, E. et al. The relationship between dietary fat intake and risk of colorectal cancer: evidence from the combined analysis of 13 case-control studies. Cancer Causes Control 8, 215–228 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018476414781

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018476414781

Search

Navigation