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Carbohydrates and colorectal cancer risk among Chinese in North America

University of British Columbia

Background. Previous studies have analysed total carbohydrates as a dietary risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC), but obtained conflicting results, perhaps due in part to the embedded negative confounder, fiber. The aim of this study is to analyse the non-fiber ("effective") carbohydrate component (eCarb) separately, and to test the hypothesis that effective carbohydrate consumption is direcdy related to colorectal cancer risk. Method. The data (473 cases, 1192 controls) are from a large, multi-centre case-control study of migrant Chinese. Multivariate logistic regression was used to perform a secondary analysis, controlling for age, fat, protein, fiber, physical inactivity, calcium, retinol, body mass index, family history, education, years in North America, and for women, parity, age at menopause, hormone replacement therapy use and oral contraceptive use. The model was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to estimate risk from increasing eCarb consumption among subgroups by gender and cancer site. Results. A statistically significant positive association was observed between eCarb consumption and risk of CRC in both males (OR=2.02 from lowest to highest fertile of eCarb consumption, 95%CI=1.28, 3.19) and females (OR=2.54, 95%CI-1.44, 4.46). A striking gender difference in cancer site affected was observed, with risk concentrated in the right colon for women (OR=7.35, 95%CI=2.60, 20.80), and in the rectum for men (OR=2.78, 95%CI= 1.40, 5.54). The other-sites for each gender showed little or no significant association of eCarb consumption with risk. Onset of menopause had a significant protective effect, and there was a near-significant interaction of menopause with eCarb consumption (p=0.07). Conclusion. Increased eCarb consumption is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer in both genders. The right colon risk is greatest in females, while the rectal risk is greatest in males. In females, colorectal cancer risk may be reduced by onset of menopause.

Thesis/Dissertation

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2009-07-09

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/10547

Health Care and Epidemiology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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