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Colon CancerWhy Red Meat May Lead to Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide with an estimated 80 percent of cases attributable to diet. Previous research indicates that individuals who regularly eat processed or red meat are up to 50 percent more likely to develop colon cancer than individuals who avoid these foods altogether. Researchers in London recently examined what it is about red meat consumption that increases colorectal cancer risk. In the study, healthy volunteers consumed a controlled vegetarian, red meat, or red meat with high fiber diet for 15 days. Individuals on the high red meat diet (15 ounces per day) had significantly higher colon levels of N-nitrosocompounds—compounds that can alter DNA and increase the risk of developing colon cancer—when compared with those consuming the vegetarian diet. Consumption of the red meat, high fiber diet resulted in lower levels of N-nitrosocompounds than the high red meat diet, but not as low as the vegetarian regimen. Investigators suggest that fiber may have played a protective role in the red meat, high fiber group as it can help repair damaged DNA and decrease the amount of time harmful compounds such as N-nitrosocompounds stay in the colon. While researchers did not investigate the effects of white meat on colon cancer risk, they did note that chicken may contain high levels of heterocyclic amines (HCA), known carcinogens. In addition, earlier studies among Seventh-day Adventists have indicated that those consuming white meat, particularly chicken, have approximately a threefold higher colon cancer risk, compared with vegetarians. Fraser GE. Associations between diet and cancer, ischemic heart disease, and all-cause mortality in non-Hispanic white California Seventh-day Adventists. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;70(suppl):5325-5385. Lewin MH, Bailey N, Bandaletova T., et al. Red meat enhances the colonic
formation of the DNA adduct O6-carboxylmethyl guanine: implications
for colorectal cancer. Cancer Res. 2006;66:1859-
The Cancer Project News, Spring 2006
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