Fat and Colorectal Cancers

Colorectal cancer is the combination of the colon cancer and rectal cancer and it starts in either the colon or rectum. The National Cancer Registry of Malaysia stated that colorectal is the first among male and the second among female in Peninsular Malaysia in 2006. 

 

There are many risk factors of colorectal cancer. But, dietary can be the strongest contribution to the risk of colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, red meats including beef, lamb, or liver and processed meats like hot dogs, bologna, and lunch meat can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

There is no direct relationship between fat intake and obesity. The main point is the energy imbalance, nutrient contributions and life styles that contribute to development of obesity. But, how fat can be responsible to colorectal cancer? Does obesity relate to colorectal cancer? It can be. The trans fat is the main type of fat which suspected to be a risk factor associated with several cancers. The trans fat are often can be found in processed and energy-dense food which commonly being a part of western diet. Indirectly, the intake of these types of food among obese people make them tend to increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

In other findings, colorectal cancer may be in part related to insulin and other hormones that are produced in regulating fat storage and blood sugar levels. The evidence is clear when the overweight or obesity lead to a higher risk of cancer and higher death rates. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop polyps. The increment of polyps can increase the development of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways and insulin signaling pathways of colorectal cancer survivors are completely different than people who do not have colon cancer (News Center, Temple University, 2012). Then, the researchers made a hypothesis that the changes in the both pathways may lead to mutations that causes a cancerous polyps.

Most of the colorectal cancers start as a polyp and most polyps are not cancer. However, certain types of polyps which is called adenomas can become cancer. Thus, removing out the polyps as early as possible can prevent it from becoming cancer. Fat and alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, but fresh fruit and vegetables may be protective (Watson, A. J. M. & Collins, P. D., 2011). However, further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between fat and colorectal cancer as well as to prove fat as diet risk factor of colorectal cancer.

Sources :

1. Colorectal Cancer Health Center, WebMD Website
2. Colorectal Cancer, American Cancer Society 
3. Human Nutrition, Report of An Expert Consultation. (2010). Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations. Rome, Italy 
4. National Cancer Registry, Ministry of Health Malaysia 
5. News Center, Temple University. (2012). Study Shows How High-Fat Diets Increase Colon Cancer Risk. Retrieved from http://news.temple.edu/news/2012-03-06/study-shows-how-high-fat-diets-increase-colon-cancer-risk 
6. Watson, A. J. M. & Collins, P. D. (2011). Colon Cancer: A Civilization Disorder. KARGER Medical and Scientific Publisher. Dig Dis 2011;29:222–228 (DOI:10.1159/000323926)