Fried food consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer: A large prospective multicenter study

Abstract

Background and aimsWhether fried food consumption is associated with the risk of pancreatic cancer remains elusive. We aimed to examine this association in a US population.MethodsA population-based cohort of 101,729 US adults was identified. Fried food consumption was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Explanatory analyses were conducted to identify main contributor(s) to the observed association.ResultsDuring an average follow-up of 8.86 years (900871.2 person-years), 402 pancreatic cancer cases occurred. High consumption of total fried foods (deep-fried plus pan-fried foods; HRquartile4 vs. 1 0.71, 95% CI 0.51–0.99, Ptrend = 0.047) and deep-fried foods (HRquartile 4 vs. 1 0.64, 95% CI 0.47–0.88, Ptrend = 0.011), but not pan-fried foods (HRquartile 4 vs. 1 0.98, 95% CI 0.73–1.32; Ptrend = 0.815), was found to be associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer in a non-linear dose–response manner, which was not modified by predefined stratification factors and persisted in sensitivity analyses. In explanatory analyses, only chip consumption was found to be inversely associated with the risk of pancreatic cancer; consistently, the initial significant associations between total fried food and deep-fried food consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer changed to be non-significant after omitting or further adjusting for chip consumption.ConclusionConsumption of deep-fried foods, but not pan-fried foods, is inversely associated with the risk of pancreatic cancer in this US population. The role of deep-fried foods in reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer appears to be mainly attributable to chips. More studies are needed to confirm our findings in other populations and settings.

Association of Fried Food Intake with Gastric Cancer Risk: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case–Control Studies

“…Park et al (2000) have shown that consuming French fries reduces gastric cancer. Previous association studies of pancreatic cancer and fried potatoes also suggested that the antioxidant properties of potatoes may have resulted in reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer [9]. Lee et al (1995) have also reported a reduction in gastric cancer with the consumption of fried meat.…”

“…Although most studies found a significant increase in cancer risk with a high intake of fried foods (meat, fish, eggs, and potatoes), some studies found that the intake of heterocyclic amines within the usual dietary range from the frying process was unlikely to increase the incidence of cancer in the colon, rectum, bladder, or kidney [37]. In addition, it has been reported that the consumption of French fries was inversely proportional to the risk of pancreatic cancer [9]. Additionally, dietary acrylamide intake has not been associated with the risk of gastrointestinal cancer [38].…”

“…Case-control studies have demonstrated the carcinogenic role of fried foods in several cancers, including the incidence of pharynx [5], larynx [6], gallbladder [7], and prostate cancers [8]. However, other studies have shown either no or an inverse association between fried foods and cancers [9]. Despite the potential evidence indicating a positive association between fried food consumption and cancer risk, it is noteworthy that there has been a noticeable rise in the number of fast-food restaurants, accompanied by increased demand for fried foods.…”

Obesity and Pancreatic Cancer: Its Role in Oncogenesis

“…An increased PC risk has been associated with higher exposure of these diets; however, evidence of temporal relationship and pathogenesis remains unclear. More recently, contradictory findings of deep-fried foods inversely related to risk of PDAC was found in prospective study (Figure 1) [83].…”

Cancer and Food-Related Risks: A Review

“…The consumption of deep-fried foods has not been specifically studied in relation to cancer; however, there have been reports of heightened risks of certain types of cancers being correlated with the intake of deep-fried foods. Consumption of food that has undergone deepfrying has also been associated with an elevated risk of developing pancreatic cancers 40,41 . The intake of fried foods in general has been associated with the onset of oral and pharyngeal cancers, as well as esophageal malignancies and laryngeal conditions.…”