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01-04-2011 | Original Contribution

Is dietary fat associated with the risk of colorectal cancer? A meta-analysis of 13 prospective cohort studies

Authors: Liu Liu, Wen Zhuang, Ruo-Qi Wang, Rajarshi Mukherjee, Shuo-Meng Xiao, Zhong Chen, Xiao-Ting Wu, Yong Zhou, Hai-Yan Zhang

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 3/2011

Abstract

Background

The results of animal studies suggest there is a significant role for dietary fat in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, inconsistent results have been reported by epidemiological studies.

Aim of study

To evaluate the association between total dietary fat and risk of colorectal cancer development using a meta-analysis based on prospective cohort studies.

Methods

Published literature was retrieved from Medline, Embase and CNKI (China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database) databases updated to 1st May, 2009. Overall, thirteen prospective cohort studies with 3,635 cases and 459,910 participants were included.

Results

The combined relative risk (RR) [95% confidence interval (95%CI)] for the risk of CRC was 0.99 (0.89,1.09) when the highest level of total dietary fat was versus (vs.) the lowest level. Stratified analyses according to gender, ethnicity, country and age showed that the highest level of total dietary fat did not increase the risk of CRC [RR (95%CI): 0.89 (0.77,1.03) for males; 1.09 (0.94,1.26) for females; 1.08 (0.94,1.25) for Caucasians; 0.90 (0.77,1.04) for Asians; 1.13 (0.94,1.36) for Americans; 0.92 (0.81,1.04) for individuals older than 40]. Besides those, the highest level of total fat diet also did not increase the risk of neither colon cancer [RR (95%CI): 0.96 (0.82,1.13)] nor rectal cancer [RR (95%CI):1.07 (0.63,1.82)]. Furthermore, neither animal fat nor plant fat were associated with the risk of CRC [RR (95%CI): 1.05 (0.91–1.22) for animal fat and 0.96 (0.82–1.11) for plant fat].

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that dietary fat may not be associated with the increased risk of CRC. More well-designed studies with larger population performed among Asians are needed to further evaluate the associations. In addition, probable bias caused by measurement error should be noticed in this meta-analysis, and measurement error needs to be adjusted in the future studies.

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Title: Is dietary fat associated with the risk of colorectal cancer? A meta-analysis of 13 prospective cohort studies
Authors: Liu Liu
Wen Zhuang
Ruo-Qi Wang
Rajarshi Mukherjee
Shuo-Meng Xiao
Zhong Chen
Xiao-Ting Wu
Yong Zhou
Hai-Yan Zhang
Publication date: 01-04-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 3/2011
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-010-0128-5

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Is dietary fat associated with the risk of colorectal cancer? A meta-analysis of 13 prospective cohort studies

Abstract

Background

Aim of study

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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