Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T05:34:21.546Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Fibre and colorectal cancer: a controversial question

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2007

Antoni Obrador
Antoni Obrador*
Affiliation:
Hospital Son Dureta, Servei de Digestiu, Andrea Doria 55, E-07014 Palma, Mallorca, Spain
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Antoni Obrador, fax +34 971 175228, email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Since the 1970s it has been postulated that dietary fibre is a protective factor against colorectal cancer. Several epidemiological studies have been performed following different designs (correlation studies, case–control, cohort) and overall they have supported the hypothesis of a benefit of dietary fibre. However, a few intervention trials have not demonstrated the preventive role of dietary fibre on the occurrence of adenomatous colorectal polyps. Nevertheless, there are multiple animal experimental studies that support the role of fibre in the prevention of colorectal cancer. In the present review, the most important contributions to this controversial question are revised. Finally, it is recommended to continue encouraging an increase in the daily consumption of fibre, since it probably plays an important role in the prevention of colorectal cancer, together with other beneficial effects.

Keywords

Colorectal cancerFibrePrevention of cancer
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 96 , Issue S1 , August 2006 , pp. S46 - S48
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2006

References

Alberts, DS, Martínez, ME & Roe, DJ (2000) Lack of effect of a high-fiber cereal supplement on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. N Engl J Med 342, 1156–1162.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
American Gastroenterological Association (2000) AGA Technical Review: impact of dietary fiber on colon cancer occurrence. Gastroenterology 118, 1235–1257.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Asano, TK & McLeod, RS (2004) Dietary fibre for the prevention of colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2, CD003430.Google Scholar
Bingham, SA, Day, NE & Luben, R (2003) Dietary fibre in food and protection against colorectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC): an observational study. Lancet 361, 1496–1501.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bonithon-Kopp, C, Kronborg, O & Giacosa, A (2000) Calcium and fibre supplementation in prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence: a randomised intervention trial. European Cancer Prevention Organisation Study Group. Lancet 356, 1300–1306.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Burkitt, D (1971) Epidemiology of cancer of the colon and rectum. Cancer 28, 3–13.3.0.CO;2-N>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Friedenreich, CM, Brant, RF & Riboli, E (1994) Influence of methodologic factors in a pooled analysis of 13 case–control studies of colorectal cancer and dietary fiber. Epidemiology 5, 66–79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jacobs, ET, Giuliano, AR, Roe, DJ, Guillen-Rodriguez, JM, Hess, LM, Alberts, DS & Martinez, ME (2002) Intake of supplemental and total fiber and risk of colorectal adenoma recurrence in the wheat bran fiber trial. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 11, 906–1014.Google ScholarPubMed
Howe, GR, Benito, E & Castelleto, R (1992) Dietary intake of fiber and decreased risk of cancers of the colon and rectum: evidence from the combined analysis of 13 case–control studies. J Natl Cancer Inst 84, 1887–1896.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peters, U, Sinha, R & Chatterjee, N (2003) Dietary fibre and colorectal adenoma in a colorectal cancer early detection programme. Lancet 361, 1491–1495.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schatzkin, A, Lanza, E & Corle, D (2000) Lack of effect of a low-fat, high-fiber diet on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. Polyp Prevention Trial Study Group. N Engl J Med 342, 1149–1155.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sengupta, S, Tjandra, JJ & Gibson, PR (2001) Dietary fiber and colorectal neoplasia. Dis Colon Rectum 44, 1016–1033.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Trock, B, Lanza, E & Greenwald, P (1990) Dietary fiber, vegetables, and colon cancer: critical review and meta-analyses of the epidemiologic evidence. J Natl Cancer Inst 82, 650–661.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed