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Cancer Causes & Control
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 1/2015

01-01-2015 | Original paper

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake and risk of colorectal cancer: meta-analysis of prospective studies

Authors: Guo-Chong Chen, Li-Qiang Qin, Da-Bing Lu, Tie-Mei Han, Yan Zheng, Guo-Zhang Xu, Xiao-Huai Wang

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Growing body of laboratory evidence supports the beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention. Epidemiologic studies investigating the relationship between n-3 PUFAs intake and risk of CRC, however, have been inconsistent. We aimed to clarify the relation by conducting a meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Methods

Eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed database and by carefully reviewing bibliographies of retrieved publications. Summary relative risks (RRs) with their 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were computed with a random-effects model. Subgroup, meta-regression, and dose–response analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 14 prospective studies involving 8,775 cancer cases were included in the final analysis. Overall, total n-3 or marine PUFAs intake was not associated with risk of CRC (RR 0.99 and 1.00). However, there was a trend toward reduced risk of proximal colon cancer (total n-3 PUFAs: RR 0.83, 95 % CI 0.66–1.05; marine PUFAs: RR 0.81, 95 % CI 0.59–1.10) and a significant increased risk of distal colon cancer (total n-3 PUFAs: RR 1.26, 95 % CI 1.06–1.50; marine PUFAs: RR 1.38, 95 % CI 1.11–1.71). Furthermore, marine PUFAs intake accessed longer before diagnosis was associated 21 % reduced risk of CRC (RR 0.79, 95 % CI 0.63–1.00).

Conclusion

Overall, this meta-analysis finds no relation between n-3 PUFAs intake and risk of CRC. The observed subsite heterogeneity within colon cancer and the possible effect modification by latency time merit further studies.
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Metadata
Title
N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake and risk of colorectal cancer: meta-analysis of prospective studies
Authors
Guo-Chong Chen
Li-Qiang Qin
Da-Bing Lu
Tie-Mei Han
Yan Zheng
Guo-Zhang Xu
Xiao-Huai Wang
Publication date
01-01-2015
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-014-0492-1

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