In:
British Journal of Nutrition, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 108, No. 9 ( 2012-11-14), p. 1550-1556
Abstract:
Preclinical studies have suggested an anti-colorectal cancer effect of n -3 fatty acids, yet epidemiological studies have reported mixed results. The goal of the present meta-analysis was to examine the association between the dietary intake of n -3 fatty acids and colorectal cancer risk by conducting a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. We searched the PubMed database up to February 2012 to identify eligible studies. Either a fixed- or random-effects model was used to obtain a pooled relative risk (RR) comparing the highest intake of n -3 fatty acids with the lowest. We conducted subgroup analyses according to sex, geographic region, length of follow-up, cancer site and type of n -3 fatty acids. We included seven prospective studies in the meta-analysis, comprising 489 465 participants and 4656 incident cases. The pooled RR of colorectal cancer in relation to n -3 fatty acids was 0·98 (95 % CI 0·88, 1·09). The results from subgroup analysis indicated a significant reduced risk of colorectal cancer in relation to n -3 fatty acids among men (RR 0·87, 95 % CI 0·75, 1·00; n 4). No significant association was observed in other subgroups. There was no evidence of publication bias as suggested by Begg's test ( P = 0·76) and Egger's test ( P = 0·66). The present meta-analysis showed insufficient evidence of a protective effect of n -3 fatty acids on colorectal cancer risk. However, a reduced risk observed in men warrants further investigation.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0007-1145
,
1475-2662
DOI:
10.1017/S0007114512003546
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2012
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2016047-1
SSG:
12
SSG:
21
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