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Health News Archive 237 - Colon Cancer
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Fiber Reduces Colorectal Adenoma Recurrence in Men

Fiber intake has gender-specific effects on colorectal adenoma recurrence, according to a review of data from two large clinical intervention trials.

Researchers from the Arizona Cancer Center, the University of Arizona and the National Cancer Institute pooled data from 3,209 participants of the Wheat Bran Fiber Trial and the Polyp Prevention Trial and applied logistic regression models to examine the effect of fiber consumption on colorectal adenoma recurrence in the pooled population as a whole and by sex.

In the first trial, called the Wheat Bran Fiber Trial, 1,429 men and women took either a high wheat bran fiber cereal supplement (13.5 grams of fiber in 2/3 cup cereal per day) or a low wheat bran fiber cereal supplement (2 grams of fiber in 2/3 cup cereal per day).

In the second trial, called the Polyp Prevention Trial, 2,079 men and women were assigned to one of two groups. The first group followed a low-fat (20 percent of calories from fat), high-fiber (18 grams per 1,000 calories), high fruit/vegetable (3.5 servings per 1,000 calories) eating plan. The second group was given a brochure on healthy eating. Both trials were conducted by the National Cancer Institute.

The researchers discovered fiber intake in men was associated with statistically significantly reduced odds of colorectal adenoma recurrence; for women, no significant association was observed. The researchers concluded results of the analysis indicate men may experience more benefit from dietary fiber than do women and may help to explain some of the discrepant results reported in the literature.

Source: Jacobs ET. Fiber, sex, and colorectal adenoma: results of a pooled analysis. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, Feb 2006; 83: 343 – 349.