Are energy and energy‐providing nutrients related to exocrine carcinoma of the pancreas?

Abstract

During 1984-88 a population-based case-control study was carried out in The Netherlands in collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer in order to further explore the possible relationship between diet and exocrine pancreatic carcinoma. Past habitual dietary intake was assessed in 164 cases and 480 controls. This is the first series of population-based studies of pancreas cancer to perform a comprehensive assessment of diet. The results of logistic regression analysis, controlled for age, gender and total cigarette consumption, suggested a positive association with past habitual intake of energy in directly interviewed patients (OR highest versus lowest quintile 3.35; 95% confidence interval 1.51-7.18). No indication of an effect of Quetelet index was found. When maximum-weight-ever-achieved was used, nonsignificantly reduced risks were observed for the upper 4 quintiles of "maximum" Quetelet index. After controlling for age, gender, response status and total cigarette consumption, a positive relationship with habitual past intake of total carbohydrates was observed (OR 2.40; 95% confidence interval 1.44-3.99). The effect decreased considerably when the analysis was restricted to subjects who reported stable long-term dietary intake. After controlling for age, gender, total cigarette consumption and response status, a significant, positive association between pancreatic cancer and past habitual intake of simple sugars was found (OR 1.95; 95% confidence interval 1.24-3.07). Among those who reported stable long-term dietary intake, no effect was seen. The positive effect of simple sugars was present in males only (OR 2.15; 95% confidence interval 1.18-3.93) and was smaller in men who reported long-term stable dietary intake. Our findings suggest that the development of exocrine pancreatic carcinoma is positively related to past habitual intake of total energy, total carbohydrates and simple sugars, whereas no relationship with body-mass index was observed.

Specific fatty acid intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer in Canada

“…One case -control study (Zatonski et al, 1991) in Poland found a strong decrease in pancreatic cancer risk (OR ¼ 0.10; P-trend ¼ 0.02) with higher monounsaturated fat intake. Another case -control study (Bueno de Mesquita et al, 1990) in the Netherlands reported a 60% nonsignificant decrease in risk among men, but not among women. Other studies have detected no statistically significant association with monounsaturated FAs (Howe et al, 1990;Michaud et al, 2002).…”

“…Although no association with total or saturated fat intake has been found (Farrow and Davis, 1990;Kalapothaki et al, 1993), a significant decrease in risk with higher saturated (Bueno de Mesquita et al, 1990Zatonski et al, 1991;Ji et al, 1995;Silverman et al, 1998), monounsaturated (Bueno de Mesquita et al, 1990;Zatonski et al, 1991), and polyunsaturated (Zatonski et al, 1991) fat intake has been reported. A recent cohort study found no significant association in relation to specific FAs (Michaud et al, 2003), but included less than 180 cases over 18 years of follow-up.…”

A meta-analysis of obesity and the risk of pancreatic cancer

“…Overall six case -control (Bueno de Mesquita et al, 1990;Howe et al, 1990;Ghadirian et al, 1991;Zatonski et al, 1991;Silverman et al, 1998;Hanley et al, 2001) and eight cohort studies (Friedman and van den Eeden, 1993;Shibata et al, 1994;Gapstur et al, 2000;Michaud et al, 2001;Stolzenberg-Solomon et al, 2002;Calle et al, 2003;Lee et al, 2003) were eligible for inclusion in this metaanalysis. In total, these studies included 6391 cases of pancreatic cancer ( Table 1).…”

Glycemic load, glycemic index, and pancreatic cancer risk in the Netherlands Cohort Study

“…The observed inverse associations between increased mono-and disaccharide intake and pancreatic cancer risk in men became less pronounced, whereas all other findings remained the same. Eight studies have examined the intakes of simple (monosaccharide and disaccharide) sugars (34,41,42), refined sugars (35), or sucrose (14 -16, 32, 42). Of these studies, just a few found an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (35,41).…”