Diet and Colonic Health Research Programme (N12)

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the UK, only surpassed by lung cancer and breast cancer respectively. There are thought to be a substantial number of dietary factors, and factors related to the diet, which may modify the risk of colorectal cancer, e.g. diets rich in plant foods are thought to be protective. The mechanisms by which dietary factors can alter the risk, and a clear causal link between diet and the risk of colorectal cancer, are yet to be fully established.

The aim of this programme is to research the dietary factors involved in the prevention of colorectal cancer and to develop reliable diet-related biomarkers for colorectal cancer and for other disease states affecting the colon that may be associated with the development of cancer

The 1998 COMA report on the nutritional aspects of the development of cancer and a scoping study undertaken by the British Nutrition Foundation on behalf of the FSA in 1999 identified key research priorities for the Diet and Colonic Health programme.

The priorities for this programme are:

• Develop techniques for the characterisation and validation of reliable diet-related intermediate bio-markers for colo-ectal cancer. Investigate the extent to which surrogate tissues (e.g. Hair, skin, and blood) are appropriate for use with these markers.
• Using these techniques, investigate the impact of components of the diet; how these interact and whether dose response effects exist.
• Develop understanding of the interaction between diet, processes associated with colon health and genetic predisposition in determining susceptibility to cancer.

Name: Elaine Stone
Tel: 020 7276 8996
Email: elaine.stone@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk