Vegetarians and colon cancer

Colon cancer is the third most lethal cancer in the United States, 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 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 incidence: a prospective investigation of 10998 vegetarians and non-vegetarians in the United Kingdom. Br J Cancer 90:118-21.

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