Patterns of gastrointestinal neoplasms in Israel
Modan, B.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences 15(4): 301-304
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2180 PMID: 447494 Document Number: 142034
Review of the incidence of gastrointestinal neoplasms in Israel reveals that gastric and colorectal cancers are a major problem in the country. Diet has been postulated as a possible aetiological factor on the basis of an indirect correlation between disease incidence and the consumption of different food constituents, animal experiments and case-control dietary studies. Studies in Israel point to high starch consumption as a risk factor in gastric cancer and low fibre intake as a risk factor in colon cancer. Mechanisms by which fibre may exert its protective effect include shortening of intestinal transit time, bulkier stool, reduced absorption of potential carcinogens, reduction of the conversion of bile salts to potentially carcinogenic sterols, interference with the cholesterol pool and a lower ratio of anaerobic:aerobic bacteria in the intestinal flora. The potential effect of excessive starch consumption is not clear, although it may facilitate the formation of nitrosamines.