MEAL FREQUENCY AND COFFEE INTAKE IN COLON-CANCER

Several studies suggested that frequent eating may increase colon canc er risk. To further clarify this issue, a case-control study was carri ed out in sir areas of Italy on 1,225 incident cases <75 years of age with histologically confirmed colon cancer and 4,154 control subjects. The controls were hospitalized for acute nonneoplastic conditions unr elated to long-term dietary modifications. After allowance Sor educati on, physical activity, intake of vegetables, and major energy sources, there was a trend of increasing risk: with increasing eating frequenc y (adds ratio for greater than or equal to 4 vs. less than or equal to 2 daily meals = 1.24). Coffee intake, which was inversely associated with cancer risk, exerted a modification effect, with an adds ratio of 1.89 Sar frequent eaters who drank Sewer than two cups of coffee per day. Frequent eating increases, whereas high coffee intake decreases t he excretion of bile acids, which are suspected to be carcinogenic to the colon. Thus, it is conceivable that frequent coffee intake may cou nter-balance the effect of frequent eating.