1. Dietary intake of broccoli and the risk of cancer in the prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian cancer (PCLO) screening trial
- Author
-
Bethany Stanley, Madeleine Williams, Robert J. Thomas, and Alex McConnachie
- Subjects
Oncology ,Cancer Research ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Lung ,business.industry ,Cruciferous vegetables ,Screening Trial ,Dietary intake ,food and beverages ,Cancer ,medicine.disease ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Prostate ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Ovarian cancer ,business - Abstract
e13560 Background: The cruciferous vegetable broccoli, are a good source of vitamins, minerals and fibre, as well as thiol phytochemicals (indole-3-carbinol), glucosinolates (isothiocyanates, its metabolite, sulforaphane), carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) and flavonols (kaempferol). Laboratory and human biopsy studies have found that broccoli intake influenced epigenetic expression of genes via blockage of histone deacetylase which reduce inflammation and cancer growth. Clinically, a randomised control study reported dried broccoli extract (along with three other foods) influenced PSA progression in men with prostate cancer1. However, no preventative intervention studies in humans have been conducted and data from cohort studies are inconsistent for its influence on cancer incidence2,3. Methods: We analysed 49,104 people within the intervention arm of the 155,000 participant PLCO screening trial. Histological confirmed cases of any cancer were reported in 8,263 (16.83%) during the 11.5 year follow up. Broccoli consumption was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Baseline characteristics were compared between broccoli consumption groups using Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between broccoli intake and cancer incidence. Results: Broccoli consumption was associated with reduced cancer incidence: HR 0.95 (CI 0.93-0.97, p < 0.001). This pattern persisted with adjustments for age, sex, race, education level and family history (HR 0.97, CI 0.96-0.99, p = 0.007) as well as smoking, BMI and alcohol consumption (HR 0.98, CI 0.96-0.99, p = 0.010). Conclusions: The study identified an association between increased broccoli consumption and reduced cancer risk. In practical terms, 15g of broccoli, or more, consumed per day (about a small cup) was associated with a 5% lower risk of cancer. Broccoli should continue to be included in healthy eating advice. This data supports the consideration of future prospective intervention studies investigating the role of broccoli as part of a cancer prevention programme. References 1. Thomas et al. The NCRN Pomi-T RCT. Prostate cancer & prostatic diseases (2014), 2,180. 2. Liu et al Cruciferous vegetables inversely linked with breast cancer: Breast (2013), 22;3,309. 3. Bosetti et al Cruciferous vegetables and cancer risk Ann Oncol (2012) 23(8);2198.
- Published
- 2020