Vegetarians and colon cancer.Colon cancer colon cancer, cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. is the third most lethal lethal /le·thal/ (le´th'l) fatal. le·thal adj. 1. Capable of causing death. 2. Of, relating to, or causing death. lethal deadly; fatal. cancer in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , after lung and breast cancer. Diet has been identified as the most important risk factor for developing colon cancer. Are vegetarians at lower risk for developing colon cancer? A study of Seventh-day Adventists Seventh-day Adventists: see Adventists. found that colon cancer occurred more commonly in non-vegetarians than in vegetarians (Am J Epidemiol 1998; 148:761-74). A more recent study of vegetarians and non-vegetarians in the United Kingdom found that vegetarians did have a moderately lower risk of colon cancer but that this was not statistically significant. The authors speculate that the nonvegetarians in their study were healthier than the general population, so their rates of colon cancer could be lower than is typical. This study did find associations between higher fruit intake and lower risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer risk was increased by smoking and alcohol use. Sanjoaquin MA, Appleby PN, Thorogood M, et al. 2004. Nutrition, lifestyle and colorectal cancer colorectal cancer Malignant tumour of the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Risk factors include age (after age 50), family history of colorectal cancer, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, benign polyps, physical inactivity, and a diet high in fat. incidence: a prospective investigation of 10998 vegetarians and non-vegetarians in the United Kingdom. Br J Cancer 90:118-21. |
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