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ω-3 PUFAs and Colon Cancer: Epidemiological Studies

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Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cancer

Part of the book series: Diet and Cancer ((DICA,volume 1))

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Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in developed countries according to its incidence and mortality rate. The incidence of colorectal cancer is particularly high in Oceania, North America, Western Europe, and Japan, and preventing this disease is therefore a high priority in developed countries. There is currently much interest in fish and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) because of their preventive effect against colorectal cancer.

Epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of fish/ω-3 PUFAs can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. However, the results are inconsistent: some studies have suggested a preventive effect, while others reported no association. In future epidemiological studies on the association between fish/ω-3 PUFAs and colorectal cancer the analysis methods should be improved to accurately measure the intake of fish/ω-3 PUFAs using dietary surveys and/or biomarkers. Furthermore, randomized controlled trials and/or subsite-specific analyses should yield more consistent results.

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Abbreviations

OR:

odds ratio

RR:

relative risk

CI:

confidence interval

FFQ:

food frequency questionnaire

SQFFQ:

semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire

RCT:

randomized controlled trials

AI:

apoptosis index

EPA:

eicosapentaenoic acid

DHA:

docosahexaenoic acid

DPA:

docosapentaenoic acid

HCA:

heterocyclic amines

PAH:

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Life Science, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Fukuyama University, 1 Gakuen-cho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, 729-0292, Japan

    Yasumi Kimura

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  1. Yasumi Kimura
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  1. Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore - Roma, Largo F. Vito 1, Roma, 00168, Italy

    Gabriella Calviello

  2. Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore - Roma, Largo F. Vito 1, Roma, 00168, Italy

    Simona Serini

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Kimura, Y. (2010). ω-3 PUFAs and Colon Cancer: Epidemiological Studies. In: Calviello, G., Serini, S. (eds) Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cancer. Diet and Cancer, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3579-0_2

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