A review and meta-analysis of prospective studies of red and processed meat intake and prostate cancer

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Dominik D. Alexander, Exponent Inc.; Pamela Mink, Emory University; Colleen A. Cushing, Exponent Inc.; Bonnie Sceurman, Exponent Inc.
• Language: English
• Date: 2010-11-02
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2010 Alexander et al
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
• Final Published Version (URL): http://www.nutritionj.com/content/9/1/50
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Nutrition Journal
• ISSN: 1475-2891
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 50
• Start Page: 1
• End Page: 17
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was partially supported by the Cattlemen's Beef Board, through the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA).
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Nutrition

Abstract

Over the past decade, several large epidemiologic investigations of meat intake and prostate cancer have been published. Therefore, a meta-analysis of prospective studies was conducted to estimate potential associations between red or processed meat intake and prostate cancer. Fifteen studies of red meat and 11 studies of processed meat were included in the analyses. High vs. low intake and dose-response analyses were conducted using random effects models to generate summary relative risk estimates (SRRE). No association between high vs. low red meat consumption (SRRE = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.96-1.05) or each 100 g increment of red meat (SRRE = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.95-1.05) and total prostate cancer was observed. Similarly, no association with red meat was observed for advanced prostate cancer (SRRE = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94-1.09). A weakly elevated summary association between processed meat and total prostate cancer was found (SRRE = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.99-1.12), although heterogeneity was present, the association was attenuated in a sub-group analysis of studies that adjusted for multiple potential confounding factors, and publication bias likely affected the summary effect. In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis are not supportive of an independent positive association between red or processed meat intake and prostate cancer.