An epidemiologic study has suggested that eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables may help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer in men.

The case-control study involved 585 pancreatic cancer cases and 4,779 controls in eight Canadian provinces between 1994 and 1999. The dietary habits of the group were surveyed and analysed using a multivariate analysis method. Three dietary patterns were identified and grouped:

• Western - characterised by high intake of meat, sugar, and refined grains;

Fruit/vegetables - characterised by high intake of fresh fruits and cruciferous vegetables; and

• Drinker - characterised by high intake of alcoholic beverages.

Those who ate the highest amount of fruit and vegetables were 50 per cent less likely to have pancreatic cancer than those who consumed the lowest amount of fruits and vegetables. There was no association with the Western dietary and drinker patterns.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and the fifth in women.

The study was conducted by André Nkondjock and collegues from University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.