Talk:Diet and cancer

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[edit] Fiber and Colon Cancer

This article cites a reference from 1990 for the preventive effects of fiber on colon cancer. However more recent studies have repeatedly disproved this claim. Please see these links: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/12/14/doubts_cast_on_fibers_effect_on_cancer/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+National+News http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/333/7228/300409.html

The fiber theory was promoted by Dr. Denis Burkitt, starting in the 1970's to explain the much lower incidence of GI diseases in the developing world. For 3 decades, researchers have used a circular argument, citing the epidemiology of these diseases as proof that diet must be responsible. Correlation does not prove causation and in this case, even the correlation has not been proven.

But Burkitt had a secondary theory, which, now that the first one has been discredited, seems much more plausible. In the developing world people squat to defecate, so they empty the colon more completely. A cleaner colon is less prone to inflammation and cancer.

This article needs to be drastically revised to avoid the false claim that dietary fiber reduces the risk of colon cancer. The claim that it prevents other cancers also needs to be more closely examined. In the case of breast cancer, the wearing of bras also distinguishes the western world, and would be a much more plausible explanation. See this link: http://chetday.com/breastcancerandbras.htm

A good theoretical discussion of how squatting would prevent colon cancer and other diseases is at my website: http://naturesplatform.com/health_benefits.html

--Jonathan108 17:31, 19 May 2007 (UTC)