Meta-analysis of animal fat or animal protein intake and colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
In the recent World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research report of diet and cancer, it was concluded that there is limited but suggestive evidence that animal fat intake increases the risk of colorectal cancer.


OBJECTIVE
To clarify this potential relation, we conducted meta-analyses across a variety of subgroups, incorporating data from additional studies.


METHODS
Analyses of high compared with low animal fat intakes and categorical dose-response evaluations were conducted. Subgroup analyses, consisting of evaluations by study design, sex, and tumor site were also performed.


RESULTS
Six prospective cohort studies with comprehensive dietary assessments, contributing 1070 cases of colorectal cancer and approximately 1.5 million person-years of follow-up, were identified. The summary relative risk estimate (SRRE) for these studies was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.31; P for heterogeneity = 0.221) on the basis of high compared with low intakes. When data from case-control studies were combined with the cohort data, the resulting SRRE was 1.15 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.42) with increased variability (P for heterogeneity = 0.015). In our dose-response analysis of the cohort studies, no association between a 20-g/d increment in animal fat intake and colorectal cancer was observed (SRRE: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.09). In a separate analysis of 3 prospective cohort studies that reported data for animal protein or meat protein, no significant association with colorectal cancer was observed (SRRE: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.15).


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the results of this quantitative assessment, the available epidemiologic evidence does not appear to support an independent association between animal fat intake or animal protein intake and colorectal cancer.
Alexander
Dominik D
DD
Exponent Health Sciences, Wood Dale, IL, USA. dalexander@exponent.com
Cushing
Colleen A
CA
Lowe
Kimberly A
KA
Sceurman
Bonnie
B
Roberts
Mark A
MA
D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D002149:Energy Intake; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D006801:Humans; D008460:Meat; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated