Research that Found No Impact on Risk
Some things are easily categorized as increasing or decreasing colorectal cancer risk. For example, smoking clearly increases risk and screening clearly decreases it. However, other factors are harder to pin down; sometimes they're found to increase risk and other times they're found to decrease it. And sometimes, studies show they have no effect at all. Here you'll find studies that researched something they thought would influence colorectal cancer risk, but ultimately concluded there was no impact.
Lycopene and Tomatoes Don't Decrease Colorectal Cancer Risk
You may have heard that tomatoes (and lycopene in particular) can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer. But, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says otherwise. After reviewing the scientific evidence available regarding the ability of tomatoes and lycopene to reduce the risk of several types of cancer, the FDA determined that they may help guard against some cancers, but not colorectal.
You may have heard that tomatoes (and lycopene in particular) can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer. But, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says otherwise. After reviewing the scientific evidence available regarding the ability of tomatoes and lycopene to reduce the risk of several types of cancer, the FDA determined that they may help guard against some cancers, but not colorectal.
High Folic Acid Intake Does Not Decrease Colon Cancer Risk
A study published in the The Journal of the American Medical Association examined the impact of folic acid intake on colon cancer risk in about 1,000 people. Half of the study participants took a placebo and the other half took a daily supplement containing one milligram of folic acid. Even the researchers were surprised by the findings.
A study published in the The Journal of the American Medical Association examined the impact of folic acid intake on colon cancer risk in about 1,000 people. Half of the study participants took a placebo and the other half took a daily supplement containing one milligram of folic acid. Even the researchers were surprised by the findings.
Dietary Carotenoids Don't Impact Colorectal Cancer Risk
Some studies have indicated that dietary carotenoids (such as lycopene and beta-carotene) may impact colorectal cancer risk. Research published this week concluded that carotenoids don't play a major role in the development of either colon or rectal cancer.
Some studies have indicated that dietary carotenoids (such as lycopene and beta-carotene) may impact colorectal cancer risk. Research published this week concluded that carotenoids don't play a major role in the development of either colon or rectal cancer.
"Bad Carbs" May Not Increase Colorectal Cancer Risk
Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology this week examined the impact of high-glycemic carbohydrates ("bad carbs") on the colorectal cancer risk of about 60,000 women. Some research has determined that they increase risk, but this study found no relationship between "bad carbs" and colorectal cancer in women.
Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology this week examined the impact of high-glycemic carbohydrates ("bad carbs") on the colorectal cancer risk of about 60,000 women. Some research has determined that they increase risk, but this study found no relationship between "bad carbs" and colorectal cancer in women.
Study Says Calcium Supplements Don't Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk
Research published in the journal Evidence-Based Nursing determined that calcium supplements didn't reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women. It may be tempting to view the study as an excuse to toss those huge white pills, but I'd recommend taking a closer look at the study before cleaning out your cupboard.
Research published in the journal Evidence-Based Nursing determined that calcium supplements didn't reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women. It may be tempting to view the study as an excuse to toss those huge white pills, but I'd recommend taking a closer look at the study before cleaning out your cupboard.
Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Don't Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk
Doctors prescribe a class of drugs called statins to lower blood cholesterol. Some research has indicated that people who take statins get the extra benefit of decreasing their chance of developing colorectal cancer. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute says otherwise.
Doctors prescribe a class of drugs called statins to lower blood cholesterol. Some research has indicated that people who take statins get the extra benefit of decreasing their chance of developing colorectal cancer. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute says otherwise.
BRCA Mutations May Not Increase Colon Cancer Risk
Two genetic mutations commonly associated with breast cancer have also been linked to colorectal cancer. However, two studies published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicate the mutations don't increase colorectal cancer risk.
Two genetic mutations commonly associated with breast cancer have also been linked to colorectal cancer. However, two studies published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicate the mutations don't increase colorectal cancer risk.