Written by Jessica Patella, ND. This large, 30-year study of nurses determined that those who consumed two or more servings of nuts per week had a significantly lower incidence of pancreatic cancer than those who almost never ate nuts.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal forms of cancer, with a 5-year survival rate of only 6% (1, 2). Due to the fact that pancreatic cancer is so fatal, prevention is the best treatment (1). Modifiable risk factors include stopping smoking, lowering body weight, and possibly reducing the risk of diabetes and insulin resistance (1, 3-5). A recent long-term study found that women who consume nuts had a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to women who rarely consume nuts (1).
The research included 75,680 women from the Nurses’ Health Study, from 1980 to 2010. Dietary intakes from a food frequency questionnaire were recorded in 1980, 1984, 1986 and every 4 years thereafter (1). The questionnaires asked how often the participants consumed one serving of nuts (28 grams or 1 ounce). Possible responses were as follows: never/almost never, 1-3 times a month, once a week, 2-4 times a week, 5-6 times a week, once a day, 2-3 times a day, 4-6 times a day or more than 6 times per day (1).
Participants also reported medical conditions, including cancers, in each 2-year follow-up questionnaire. When there was a report of pancreatic cancer, permission was obtained to review the participant’s medical records. A total of 466 cases of pancreatic cancer were reported out of the 75,680 women (1).
Over the 30-year study period, nut consumption among participants remained relatively constant. Women who ate nuts more frequently were generally leaner, more likely to exercise, less likely to smoke, ate more fruits and vegetables and tended to take multi-vitamin supplements (1).
Women who ate two or more servings (56 grams or 2 ounces) of nuts per week had a significantly lower risk of pancreatic cancer, compared to women who almost never ate nuts (relative risk 0.65, 95% CI 0.47-0.90, Ptrend =0.005) (1). These results remained consistent and unchanged even when adjusting for weight, physical activity, smoking, diabetes and other dietary factors (1). This indicates a strong association between nut consumption and the lower risk for pancreatic cancer.
In conclusion, women who consumed two or more servings of nuts per week had a lower incidence of pancreatic cancer than women who almost never ate nuts (1). This was the first study to look at the association between nut consumption and pancreatic cancer in women. This was a large, 30-year follow-up study. Although further studies are needed, the potential insight to this highly fatal cancer is important to take notice of for the future (1).
Source: Bao, Y., et al. “Nut consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer in women.” British journal of cancer 109.11 (2013): 2911-2916.
© 2017 Cancer Research UK
Posted December 23, 2013.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Bao Y, et al. Nut consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer in women. British J of Cancer (2013), 1-6, doi:10.1038/bjc.2013.665
- Cancer of the Pancrease- SEER Stat Fact Sheets. National Cancer Institute.
- Larsson SC, et al. Body mass index and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. (2007) Int J Cancer 120: 1993–1998.
- Everhart J, Wright D. Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. A meta-analysis. (1995) JAMA 273: 1605–1609.
- WCRF/AICR (2009) World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective. AICR: Washington DC.
