Associations between unprocessed red and processed meat, poultry, seafood and egg intake and the risk of prostate cancer: A pooled analysis of 15 prospective cohort studies

Abstract

Reports relating meat intake to prostate cancer risk are inconsistent. Associations between these dietary factors and prostate cancer were examined in a consortium of 15 cohort studies. During follow-up, 52, 683 incident prostate cancer cases, including 4,924 advanced cases, were identified among 842, 149 men. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate study-specific relative risks (RR) and then pooled using random effects models. Results do not support a substantial effect of total red, unprocessed red and processed meat for all prostate cancer outcomes, except for a modest positive association for tumors identified as advanced stage at diagnosis (advanced(r)). For seafood, no substantial effect was observed for prostate cancer regardless of stage or grade. Poultry intake was inversely associated with risk of advanced and fatal cancers (pooled multivariable RR [MVRR], 95% confidence interval, comparing ≥45 vs. <5 g/day: advanced 0.83, 0.70–0.99; trend test p value 0.29), fatal, 0.69, 0.59–0.82, trend test p value 0.16). Participants who ate ≥25 versus <5 g/day of eggs (1 egg ~ 50 g) had a significant 14% increased risk of advanced and fatal cancers (advanced 1.14, 1.01–1.28, trend test p value 0.01; fatal 1.14, 1.00–1.30, trend test p value 0.01). When associations were analyzed separately by geographical region (North America vs. other continents), positive associations between unprocessed red meat and egg intake, and inverse associations between poultry intake and advanced, advanced(r) and fatal cancers were limited to North American studies. However, differences were only statistically significant for eggs. Observed differences in associations by geographical region warrant further investigation.

A Western Dietary Pattern Increases Prostate Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…However, it should be considered that, in this dietary pattern, other foods such as poultry, fish and whole grains were also included. In any case, our results agree with previous meta-analyses to show no effect of single-vegetable foods and fish on PC risk [7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. …”

“…Indeed, significant preventive effects have been found for the intake of allium vegetables [4], carrots and coffee [5,6]; whereas, inconsistent correlation has been observed between PC risk and the consumption of tomatoes and lycopene [7,8], tea [9], fruits and vegetables [10], fiber [11], fat [12], red meat, processed meat, and seafood [13]. On the other hand, dairy products, calcium, and eggs seem to act as risk factors for PC [13,14]. In any case, as recently reported by the World Cancer Research Fund International/American Institute for Cancer Research, the role of individual foods and nutrients on PC risk is still limited and controversial [15].…”

A Western Dietary Pattern Increases Prostate Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…However, it should be considered that in this dietary pattern were also included other foods such as poultry, fish and whole grains. In any case, our results are in agreement with previous meta-analysis showing no effect of single vegetable foods and fish on PC risk [7][8][9][10][11][12]13].…”

“…Indeed, significant preventive effects have been found for the intake of allium vegetables [4], carrots and coffee [5,6], whereas inconsistent correlation has been observed between PC risk and consumption of tomato and lycopene [7,8], tea [9], fruit and vegetables [10], fiber [11], fat [12], red meat, processed meat and seafood [13]. On the other hand, dairy products, calcium and eggs seem to act as risk factors for PC [13,14]. In any case, as recently reported by World Cancer Research Fund International/American Institute for Cancer Research, the role of individual foods and nutrients on PC risk is still limited and controversial [15].…”

Pre-diagnostic metabolite concentrations and prostate cancer risk in 1077 cases and 1077 matched controls in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition

“…While 4-hydroxyproline has also been suggested as a marker of red and processed meat [25, 26], the evidence does not suggest an association between these foods and prostate cancer risk [27]. …”