Food processing groups and colorectal cancer risk in Morocco: evidence from a nationally representative case–control study

Ultra‐processed food consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial

“…On the other hand, it suggests that reducing or limiting the consumption of ultra-processed foods may represent an attractive strategy to decrease the global burden of pancreatic cancer, which is particularly relevant given that ultra-processed foods contribute to 25% to 60% of an individual's daily calorie intake, depending on the country or the region, are dominant in the global food system currently. 17 Interestingly, our subgroup analysis observed that the harmful association between ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer was more evident in subjects aged <65 years than in those aged ≥65 years, indicating that older people are less susceptible to the potentially adverse impacts of ultra-processed foods on pancreatic carcinogenesis. The exact mechanisms behind this observation are unclear.…”

“…On the one hand, our observation extends the harmful association of ultra‐processed food consumption with cancer risk to pancreatic cancer, highlighting the potential carcinogenic role of ultra‐processed foods again. On the other hand, it suggests that reducing or limiting the consumption of ultra‐processed foods may represent an attractive strategy to decrease the global burden of pancreatic cancer, which is particularly relevant given that ultra‐processed foods contribute to 25% to 60% of an individual's daily calorie intake, depending on the country or the region, are dominant in the global food system currently 17 …”

“…18 A 2018 prospective cohort study in France revealed a positive association between ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of overall cancer and more specifically, postmenopausal breast cancer 15 ; however, subsequent case-control studies in South Africa and Spain failed to observe the harmful association of ultra-processed food consumption with the risk of breast cancer. 16,36 In addition, subsequent case-control studies found that a greater amount of ultraprocessed food consumption conferred a higher risk of colorectal cancer 16,17 but not prostate cancer 16,37 or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. 38 Based on prospective data of up to 98 265 American adults, our study observed for the first time a positive association between ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer.…”

“…For example, sodium nitrate is widely used to preserve processed meat by food industries; however, this food additive possibly increases the risk of developing cancer due to the formation of nitrosamines, a class of potent carcinogens. 17 Indeed, a large prospective study found that dietary intake of nitrite, which forms nitrosamines in the stomach, was positively related to the risk of pancreatic cancer. 54 Our study has several limitations.…”

“…14 Together, these data suggest that ultra-processed foods are potentially carcinogenic. Indeed, several observational studies have revealed positive associations of ultra-processed food consumption with risks of overall cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer and colorectal cancer, [15][16][17] although epidemiological evidence on ultra-processed food consumption and cancer outcomes remains limited currently, 18 with only one prospective study published. 15 To our knowledge, no observational studies have tested the potential association of ultra-processed food consumption with the risk of pancreatic cancer.…”