By David Liu, PHD

Thursday Jan 5, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Again eating too much meat may increase colorectal cancer, according to a new study published in the Dec 13, 2011 issue of British Journal of Cancer.

The study led by L.M. Ferrucci of National Cancer Institute and colleagues found intake of red meat, processed meat, haeme iron, and nitrate/nitrite, which is commonly used in processed meat was positively associated with distal colorectal adenoma.

The researchers looked at data on 17,072 participants in the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial and during the follow-up, 1008 participants were diagnosed with incident distal colorectal adenoma.

highest intake of grilled meat, well or very well-done meat, 2-amino-1-methl-6-phenyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, beno[a]pyrene and total mutagenic activity was associated with 56, 59, 75, 53 and 57 percent increased risk for rectum cancer.

On the other hand, those with highest intake of iron from diet or supplements were 30 to 35 percent less likely to develop distal colorectal adenoma.

The researchers said "Our findings indicate that several meat-related components may be most relevant to early neoplasia in the rectum."

colorectal cancer refers to colon cancer and rectal cancer, which is diagnosed in about 101,000 people in the United States each year. The disease and its complications kill about 50,000 each year in the country.

Colorectal cancer is in many cases preventable.

What may reduce risk for colorectal cancer include high fiber diet, walnuts, flaxseeds, greet tea, vitamin d, curcumin, folic acid, lycopene, tofu, cooked green vegetables, dried fruit, legumes, garlic, grape see extract, physical activity, carrot, vegetarian diet, omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, b vitamins found in vegetables, and flavonoids, which are found in fruits and vegetables. 

What may boost the risk for colorectal cancer include obesity, diabetes, red meat, processed meat,  physical inactivity, tobacco smoking, vitamin d deficiency, high calcium, low magnesium, drinking alcohol, and trans fat (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils).