Abstract
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between dietary fibre intake and rectal cancer (RC) risk. In January 2019, a structured computer search on PubMed/Medline, Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE) and Scopus was performed for studies reporting the results of primary research evaluating dietary fibre intake in women and men as well as the risk of developing RC. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations were followed. Highest vs. lowest fibre concentrations was compared. The Egger test was used to estimate publication bias. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated with I2 statistics. The search strategy identified 912 papers, 22 of which were included in our meta-analysis. Having evaluated a total of 2,876,136 subjects, the results suggest a protective effect of dietary fibre intake on RC prevention. The effect Size (ES) was [0.77 (95% CI = 0.66–0.89), p-value = 0.001)]. Moderate statistical heterogeneity (Chi2 = 51.36, df = 21, I2 = 59.11%, p-value = 0.000) was found. However, no publication bias was found, as confirmed by Egger’s linear regression test (Intercept −0.21, t = −0.24, p = 0.816). The findings suggest that dietary fibre intake could be protective against RC, with a clinically relevant reduction of RC risk. Identifying preventive measures to avoid the development of RC, especially by following a healthy lifestyle including healthy diet, is pivotal.
Highlights
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, after lung and breast cancer.It represents 10% of all cancers, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, accounting for approximately 1.8 million new cases and almost900,000 deaths in 2018 [1]
The findings suggest that dietary fibre intake could be protective against RC, with a clinically relevant reduction of RC risk
This paper reports the results of an extensive systematic review and meta-analysis conducted using three scientific databases (PubMed/Medline, EMBASE and Scopus)
Summary
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, after lung and breast cancer.It represents 10% of all cancers, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, accounting for approximately 1.8 million new cases and almost900,000 deaths in 2018 [1]. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, after lung and breast cancer. It represents 10% of all cancers, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, accounting for approximately 1.8 million new cases and almost. Growing evidence shows that approximately 47% of cases of colorectal cancer can be prevented by eating and drinking healthily, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight [2]. As far as diet is concerned, it is already known that the Western Diet (rich in fat, sugars and animal products) is associated with an increased risk of cancer, colorectal among others [3]; on the contrary, the Mediterranean Diet (rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and pulses) shows a higher protective role against cancer [4]
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