A Western diet may increase a person's risk of colon cancer.

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€ THE QUESTION Is there an association between diet and colon cancer?

€ PAST STUDIES have had inconsistent results on an association between colon

cancer and specific nutrients or such foods as fruit, vegetables and fiber.

Some researchers believe that studying overall dietary patterns may be more

effective in identifying any such associations.

€ THIS STUDY examined the risk of colon cancer over 12 years in 445 women

who followed a so-called Western diet -- rich in red meat and refined grains

-- and 445 women who followed a " prudent " diet -- rich in fruit and

vegetables, fish, poultry and whole grains. The two groups' risks

for colon cancer were not compared, but both groups were divided into five

subsets of increasing adherence to the specific diet. Those who followed the

Western diet most closely had 46 percent

greater risk of colon cancer than those who followed it least closely. Those

who followed the prudent diet most closely had a lower risk of colon cancer

than those who followed it least closely, although this difference was not

statistically significant.

€ WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY THESE FINDINGS? Women inclined toward a diet rich

in processed and red meats, sweets and desserts, fries and refined grains.

€ CAVEATS The results may not apply to men. In addition, the women

self-reported their diets. Finally, the results are not based on a

randomized trial.

€ BOTTOM LINE Women may lower their risk of colon cancer by limiting their

consumption of such foods as red meat and refined grains.

€ FIND THIS STUDY Feb. 10 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine;

abstract online at archinte.ama-assn.org/.