DIET FEEDING-HABITS AND RISK OF COLORECTAL-CANCER IN CORDOBA, ARGENTINA

In this study the relationship among high beef consumption and low fib er intake of the typically Argentinian diet and the risk of colorectal cancer was examined. This preliminary report was conducted on 25 case s of colorectal cancer and 25 controls admitted to a private hospital of Cordoba City. Consistent positive associations were observed with m ore frequent consumption of heavily browned beef barbecued (OR: 5.4, C I: 1.2-96.0) and coffee (OR 13.8, CI: 2.4-123.9). High consumption of fatty bread - a locally produced pancake - showed an important increas e of the OR (4.75, CI: 1.22-19.5). On the contrary, some of the non-co oked vegetables and fruits were associated with a lower OR (0.09, CI: 0.02-0.41). Among those cooked, the cruciferae showed protective activ ity (OR: 0.04, CI: 0.00-0.33). Our study adds further evidences that a ''prudent'' diet enriched in fiber but low in meat having heavily bro wned crust may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.