Fibre reduces cancer risk

Eating a high fibre diet reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study.

Patients who have a daily intake of high dietary fibre and whole grains are less likely to develop colorectal cancer, researchers claim.

A high fibre diet has long been associated with decreased cardiovascular disease risk, but its association to cancer development has previously remained unknown.

The bmj.com study provides further support for public health initiatives to increase fibre intake.

Prostate cancer risk has previously been claimed to be reduced by a high fibre diet, specifically those high in soluble fibre, such as oat bran and legumes.

Professor David Jenkins of the department of nutritional science at the University of Toronto stated: "Prostate cancer is a hormone-dependent cancer, which means it may be modified if there is a reduction in the male sex hormone that stimulate tumour growth."

Soluble fibre decreases the production of the cancer-creating hormone, which reduces the stimulation of the prostate and lowers the PSA level.

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