Diet and risk of colorectal cancer in a cohort of Finnish men

Objectives: Based on previous epidemiological studies, high fat and meat co nsumption may increase and fiber, calcium, and vegetable consumption may de crease the risk of colorectal cancer. We sought to address these hypotheses in a male Finnish cohort. Methods: We analyzed data from the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer P revention Study (ATBC Study) where 27, 111 male smokers completed a validat ed dietary questionnaire at baseline. After an average of 8 years of follow -up, we documented 185 cases of colorectal cancer. The analyses were carrie d out using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The relative risk (RR) for men in the highest quartile of calcium intake compared with men in the lowest quartile was 0.6 (95% CI 0.4-0.9, p for trend 0.04). Likewise, the intake of milk protein and the consumption o f milk products was inversely associated with risk of colorectal cancer. Ho wever, intake of dietary fiber was not associated with risk, nor was fat in take. Consumption of meat or different types of meat, and fried meat, fruit s or vegetables were not associated with risk. Conclusions: In this cohort of men consuming a diet high in fat, meat, and fiber and low in vegetables, high calcium intake was associated with lowere d risk of colorectal cancer.