Eating two portions of whole grains a day could almost halve the
risk of developing pancreatic cancer, research shows.
The cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease,
claiming the lives of around 7,000 Britons a year and killing 95
percent of patients within two years.
But research has shown a diet rich in wholemeal bread, brown
rice and other whole grain foods could bring about a substantial
reduction in the risk of developing it.
A study of more than 2,000 men and women revealed a clear link
between the amount of whole grains eaten and the chance of
developing pancreatic cancer.
Those who ate at least two helpings of whole grains a day - the
equivalent of a cup of brown rice or porridge, or two slices of
wholemeal bread - were 40 percent less likely to develop the
disease than those who ate less than one portion.
The study, which was carried out by the University of
California, San Francisco, also noted that those who ate more than
0.9oz (26.5g) of fibre a day were 35 per cent less likely to
develop pancreatic cancer than those who ate less than 0.6oz
(15.6g).
The researchers said: "There is a possibility that diet can
affect one's risk of pancreatic, as well as other cancers."
"Eating a diet rich in a wide variety of grains is likely not
only to help in the prevention of diabetes and heart disease, but
also this very deadly cancer."
However, eating more refined and sweetened grains - such as two
or more servings of doughnuts a week - was found to raise the risk
of pancreatic cancer.
Dr June Chan, who led the research, said: "The risk reductions
associated with some whole grain foods and fibre provide general
support for the hypothesis that eating whole grains is much better
than eating more refined and sweetened grains for pancreatic cancer
prevention."
Pancreatic cancer kills the vast majority of sufferers,
typically within two years of diagnosis. In the UK, there are 6,990
new cases a year, almost matched by the 6,760 deaths. The average
survival after surgery is 14-15 months.
Luciano Pavarotti died of the disease aged 71 earlier this year.
About two thirds of all cases (63 percent) are diagnosed in people
over the age of 70.
The study looked at grain intake among 532 people with
pancreatic cancer and 1,701 people without the disease among the
San Francisco Bay area population.
The two groups were similar in age, gender, and body weight, and
had a similar history of diabetes, the American Journal of
Epidemiology reports.
Those with pancreatic cancer were also more likely to be current
smokers.
(Agencies via China Daily November 28, 2007)