Association Between Intake of Red and Processed Meat and Survival in Patients With Colorectal Cancer in a Pooled Analysis

Burden of colon and rectum cancer attributable to processed meat consumption in China, 1990-2021

Background

Colon and rectum cancer (CRC) poses a significant public health challenge, and diets high in processed meat have been identified as key risk factors. This study aims to assess the burden of CRC attributable to processed meat consumption in China from 1990 to 2021, focusing on mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and years of life lost (YLLs).

Methods

Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study for CRC attributable to processed meat consumption in China from 1990 to 2021. The analysis included age-standardized rates for deaths, DALYs, YLDs, and YLLs, alongside age-period-cohort (APC) and decomposition analyses to examine temporal trends and contributing factors. Joinpoint regression was used to detect significant changes in trends.

Results

The burden of CRC attributable to processed meat consumption in China increased significantly between 1990 and 2021. In 2021, males exhibited higher mortality and DALY rates than females, particularly in older age groups. The age-standardized death rate rose from 0.23 to 0.32 per 100,000, and DALYs increased from 5.83 to 8.57 per 100,000. Joinpoint analysis revealed steep rises in DALYs and YLLs, especially during 2007-2011. APC analysis showed that older cohorts consistently exhibited higher death rates, while more recent cohorts displayed lower mortality. Decomposition analysis indicated that population growth and epidemiological changes drove the rise in mortality, with aging contributing to a reduction in deaths. These factors had a more pronounced impact on males.

Conclusion

The study highlights the growing burden of CRC linked to processed meat consumption in China over three decades, with significant gender differences and strong cohort effects. The findings call for targeted interventions to reduce processed meat consumption and mitigate CRC risk.

Post-diagnosis physical activity and sedentary behaviour and colorectal cancer prognosis: A Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour have been clearly linked with colorectal cancer development, yet data on their potential role in colorectal cancer survival is limited. Better characterisation of these relationships is needed for the development of post-diagnosis physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidance for colorectal cancer survivors. We searched PubMed and Embase through 28 February 2022 for studies assessing post-diagnosis physical activity, and/or sedentary behaviour in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality and recurrence after colorectal cancer diagnosis. Total and recreational physical activity were assessed overall and by frequency, duration, intensity, and volume using categorical, linear, and non-linear dose-response random-effects meta-analyses. The Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) independent Expert Committee on Cancer Survivorship and Expert Panel interpreted and graded the likelihood of causality. We identified 16 observational studies on 82,220 non-overlapping patients from six countries. Physical activity was consistently inversely associated with colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality outcomes, with 13%-60% estimated reductions in risk. Sedentary behaviour was positively associated with all-cause mortality. The evidence had methodological limitations including potential confounding, selection bias and reverse causation, coupled with a limited number of studies for most associations. The CUP Global Expert panel concluded limited-suggestive evidence for recreational physical activity with all-cause mortality and cancer recurrence. Total physical activity and its specific domains and dimensions, and sedentary behaviour were all graded as limited-no conclusion for all outcomes. Future research should focus on randomised trials, while observational studies should obtain objective and repeated physical activity measures and better adjustment for confounders.

Associations Between Unprocessed Red Meat and Processed Meat With Risk of Recurrence and Mortality in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer

Importance

The American Cancer Society and American Institute for Cancer Research recommend that cancer survivors limit intake of red and processed meats. This recommendation is based on consistent associations between red and processed meat intake and cancer risk, particularly risk of colorectal cancer, but fewer data are available on red and processed meat intake after cancer diagnosis.

Objectives

To examine whether intake of unprocessed red meat or processed meat is associated with risk of cancer recurrence or mortality in patients with colon cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective cohort study used data from participants with stage III colon cancer enrolled in the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB 89803/Alliance) trial between 1999 and 2001. The clinical database for this analysis was frozen on November 9, 2009; the current data analyses were finalized in December 2021.

Exposures

Quartiles of unprocessed red meat and processed meat intake assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire during and 6 months after chemotherapy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for risk of cancer recurrence or death and all-cause mortality.

Results

This study was conducted among 1011 patients with stage III colon cancer. The median (IQR) age at enrollment was 60 (51-69) years, 442 patients (44%) were women, and 899 patients (89%) were White. Over a median (IQR) follow-up period of 6.6 (1.9-7.5) years, we observed 305 deaths and 81 recurrences without death during follow-up (386 events combined). Intake of unprocessed red meat or processed meat after colon cancer diagnosis was not associated with risk of recurrence or mortality. The multivariable HRs comparing the highest vs lowest quartiles for cancer recurrence or death were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.58-1.23) for unprocessed red meat and 1.05 (95% CI, 0.75-1.47) for processed meat. For all-cause mortality, the corresponding HRs were 0.71 (95% CI, 0.47-1.07) for unprocessed red meat and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.72-1.51) for processed meat.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, postdiagnosis intake of unprocessed red meat or processed meat was not associated with risk of recurrence or death among patients with stage III colon cancer.

Association of preserved vegetable consumption and prevalence of colorectal polyps: results from the Lanxi Pre-colorectal Cancer Cohort (LP3C)

PURPOSE

Although fresh vegetable consumption has been linked with a lower risk of colorectal polyps, a precursor lesion for colorectal cancer (CRC), the association between preserved vegetable consumption and colorectal polyps is unknown. We aimed to assess the association of preserved vegetable intake with the prevalence of colorectal polyps with the consideration of subsites, sizes and multiplicity of polyps.

METHODS

We analyzed the cross-sectional data from 40-80 years Chinese at a high risk of CRC from the Lanxi Pre-colorectal Cancer Cohort (LP3C) baseline survey, which was conducted between March 2018 and December 2019. Dietary information was obtained via a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of preserved vegetable consumption and the prevalence of colorectal polyps.

RESULTS

Of 6783 eligible participants in 2018-2019 survey of LP3C, 2064 prevalent colorectal polyp cases were identified. In the multivariable-adjusted model, preserved vegetable consumption was positively associated with the prevalence of colorectal polyps (OR for fourth vs. first quartile: 1.18; 95% CI 1.01-1.36; P trend = 0.02). The similar association was also detected for small polyps [OR_{Q4 vs Q1} (95% CI): 1.17 (1.00-1.37); P trend = 0.03]. The similar trend was detected for multiple polyps [OR _{Q4 vs Q1} (95% CI):1.27 (0.98-1.64); P trend = 0.04], proximal colon polyps [OR_{Q4 vs Q1} (95% CI): 1.12 (0.90-1.38); P trend = 0.07], and single polyp [OR_{Q4 vs Q1} (95% CI) for 1.15 (0.98-1.35); P trend = 0.06]. No significant association was observed for distal colon [OR_{Q4 vs Q1} (95% CI) 1.19 (0.98-1.45); P trend = 0.09]. Replacing one serving per day of preserved vegetables with fresh vegetables was related to 20%, 23%, and 37% lower prevalence of overall, small, and multiple polyps, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Preserved vegetable consumption was associated with a higher prevalence of colorectal polyps in a Chinese population at a high risk of CRC. Replacing preserved vegetables with fresh vegetables may be conducive to lower prevalent colorectal polyps.

Dietary Intake in Association with All-Cause Mortality and Colorectal Cancer Mortality among Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

Simple Summary

Given that an extensive range of dietary factors has not been investigated among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors to date, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effects of both prediagnostic and postdiagnostic dietary intake on all-cause mortality and CRC-specific mortality among CRC survivors. In total, 45 studies were included in the final analysis of 35 food items, 8 macronutrients, 27 micronutrients, 2 dietary patterns, and 13 dietary indexes in association with all-cause mortality and CRC-specific mortality. We found that an unhealthy dietary pattern increased the risks of both all-cause mortality and CRC-specific mortality. The role of prediagnostic and postdiagnostic intake such as macronutrients and fatty acids could be different in the risk of all-cause mortality. Overall, comprehensive evidence for the effect of substantial numbers of prediagnostic and postdiagnostic dietary items on mortality outcomes is reported in this study.

Abstract

We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effects of both prediagnostic and postdiagnostic dietary intake on all-cause mortality and CRC-specific mortality among CRC survivors. An extensive search of PubMed and Embase was conducted to identify eligible studies. We applied a random-effects model to estimate the pooled relative risks (RRs)/hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). As a result, a total of 45 studies were included in the final analysis. Pooled effect sizes from at least three study populations showed that whole grains and calcium were inversely associated with all-cause mortality, with RRs/HRs (95% CIs) of 0.83 (0.69–0.99) and 0.84 (0.73–0.97), respectively. In contrast, a positive association between an unhealthy dietary pattern and both all-cause mortality (RR/HR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.05–2.05) and CRC-specific mortality (RR/HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.13–2.06) was observed among CRC survivors. In the subgroup analysis by CRC diagnosis, prediagnostic and postdiagnostic dietary intake such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and fiber were observed to have different effects on all-cause mortality. Overall, an unhealthy dietary pattern increased the risks of both all-cause mortality and CRC-specific mortality. The role of prediagnostic and postdiagnostic intake of dietary elements such as macronutrients and fatty acids could be different in the risk of all-cause mortality.

Competing mortality risks analysis of prediagnostic lifestyle and dietary factors in colorectal cancer survival: the Norwegian Women and Cancer Study

Background

It remains unclear whether or which prediagnostic lifestyle and dietary factors influence colorectal cancer (CRC) survival following diagnosis. This study used competing mortality risks analysis to evaluate the association between these factors and CRC survival.

Methods

A total of 96 889 cancer-free participants of the Norwegian Women and Cancer Study completed the study’s baseline questionnaire on lifestyle and dietary factors between 1996 and 2004. Of the 1861 women who subsequently developed CRC, 550 had CRC as the cause of death, while 110 had a non-CRC cause of death. We used multiple imputation to handle missing data. We performed multivariable competing mortality risks analyses to determine the associations between prediagnostic lifestyle and dietary factors and CRC survival. Cause-specific HRs were estimated by Cox regression and subdistribution HRs were estimated by the Fine-Gray regression with corresponding 95% CIs.

Results

Following multivariable adjustment, a prediagnostic vitamin D intake of >10 μg/day compared with ≤10 μg/day was associated with better CRC survival (HR=0.75, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.92). Other prediagnostic lifestyle and dietary factors showed no association with CRC survival. The corresponding results obtained from cause-specific Cox and Fine-Gray regressions were similar.

Conclusion

Our study shows that prediagnostic vitamin D intake could improve CRC survival.