title: Dietary glycaemic index, glycaemic load and endometrial and ovarian cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: Long-term consumption of a high glycaemic index (GI) or glycaemic load (GL) diet may lead to chronic hyperinsulinaemia, which is a potential risk factor for cancer. To date, many studies have examined the association between GI, GL and cancer risk, although results have been inconsistent, therefore our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the literature. Medline and Embase were systematically searched using terms for GI, GL and cancer to identify studies published before December 2007. Random effects meta-analyses were performed for endometrial cancer, combining maximally adjusted results that compared risk for those in the highest versus the lowest category of intake. Separate analysis examined risk by body mass index categories. Five studies examining GI and/or GL intake and endometrial cancer risk were identified. Pooled effect estimates for endometrial cancer showed an increased risk for high GL consumers (RR 1.20; 95% CI: 1.06-1.37), further elevated in obese women (RR 1.54; 95% CI: 1.18-2.03). No significant associations were observed for GI. Only two studies examined ovarian cancer and therefore no meta-analysis was performed, but results indicate positive associations for GL also. A high GL, but not a high GI, diet is positively associated with the risk of endometrial cancer, particularly among obese women.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research Group, Centre for Clinical and Population Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Mulhouse Building, Royal Victoria Hospital Site, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BJ, Northern Ireland. hmulholland04@qub.ac.uk
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Mulholland
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Cardwell
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cantwell
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D019422:Dietary Sucrose