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Show Tuesday, March 23, 1999 The Daily Utah Chronicle -- 11 Study Finds No Evidence High Fiber Prevents Colon Cancer But there may be other properties of vegetables, including vitamin folate, that could lower the risk of cancer Briggette Greenberg Associated Press Writer Contradicting years of dietary wisdom, a large new study found no evidence that eating lots of foods like bran, beans high-fiband whole wheat bread does anything to lower the risk of colon er no history of cancer. They filled out dietary questionnaires in 1980, 1984 and 1986, and researchers followed up with the women until mid-199- 6. Dr. Michael Thun, who heads epidemiological research for the American Cancer Society, said he was surprised by the findings but doubts his organization will change its nutritional guidelines because people who eat more fruits and vegetables generally suffer fewer cases of cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, stomach and lungs. "People should base their behavior on all of the evidence rather than on one study," Thun said. "One shouldn't either zigzag erratically with each new study or lapse into cynicism. The fact is that the main components of a healthy lifestyle have been clear and steady for some years." He stressed that there may be other properties of vegetables, including the vitamin folate, that could lower the risk of cancer and that people who eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains also tend to be less obese and suffer fewer health problems. In an accompanying editorial, Dr. John D. Potter of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle wondered whether questionnaires about a person's past eating habits can be accurate and if nurses, who are generally more than other a are people, representative samhealth-conscio- ple. Potter said there is evidence to suggest that high sugar and calorie consumption and a lack of exercise may be to blame for colon cancer, but more research is necessary. "We have barely begun," he said. cancer. Don't put down that apple yet: Previous studies have found that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains has other health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and certain types of diabetes. The study, published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine, tracked the colon and rectal health of 88,757 women who particNursipated in the Harvard-base- d es Health Study over 16 years. It is one of the biggest cancer studies of its kind ever undertaken. From 1980 to 1996, 787 of the "IN LAST YEARS' NBA FINALS ISAIAH THOMAS ASTUTEOBSERVED THAT THE INDIANA PACERS 'GONNA GOTTA GET MORE OUTSIDE SHOOTING.'" LY 1 ill M'ly-''?- - 12298 ' women developed cancer of the colon or the rectum. The risk was the same regardless of how much fiber they ate. The researchers said they believe the findings apply to men as well. Dr. Charles S. Fuchs and his colCancer leagues at the Institute, Brigham. and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School said they were astounded to find that women who ate foods were no more likely to develop colon cancer than those who stuck to bran muffins and broccoli. "As a practicing physician and as a researcher, this is a hypothesis that has stood the test of time," Fuchs said. "There has been such an abundant enthusiasm for this hypothesis, so the important message here is that fiber, overall, has no protective effect." He said the benefits of fiber in protecting against other problems like high blood pressure and heart disease the No. killer in the country are undeniable. "If people are taking fiber for any of those reasons, then keep doing it. If the primary concern is to prevent colon cancer, then I Dana-Farb- er low-fib- er 'YOU CAN HANG A PICTURE, YOU CAN HANG A NAIL, BUT NO ONE WALKING THE PLANET CAN HANG WITH THE GREAT RANDY MOSS ON A DEEP OUT." 12898 - 1 wouldn't try fiber. I'm not sure that's going to work," he said. The study participants were healthy women, 34 to 59, who had The DaityUtah Chronicle Your source for... KYLE GREEN CHRONIC'.E PHOTO EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS When a sperm whale suddenly surfaced in the water fountain north of the Mariott Library Chronicle photographers were standing by, ready to bring you the exclusive pictures. No other publication has photo men this lucky. None. hi 'Trust the Chronicle. It can't hurt." Vf UStUHS- ;;3 itlJ h 'ZB - jT s n ifim n Aim Avsras |