High intake of bread increases kidney cancer risk

A diet rich in refined cereals, bread in particular, is associated with an elevated risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the main type of kidney cancer. Diet and nutrition are thought to play a role in the development of RCC, but the effect of specific food groups on the risk of this malignancy is controversial. Researchers from the Instituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri" in Milan, used food frequency questionnaires to compare the diets of 767 patients with RCC in the 2 years prior to diagnosis to those of 1534 'controls' who were admitted to the same hospitals for acute, non-cancer disorders. Comparing the intakes of various food items, it was found that consumption of bread increased the risk of RCC by 94 percent, pasta and rice by 29 percent, and milk and yogurt by 27 percent. Conversely, high intake of poultry, processed meat, and vegetables appeared to reduce the risk by 26 percent, 36 percent, and 35 percent, respectively. The findings suggest that moderate cereal and high vegetables consumption may have a favourable effect on this kidney cancer.