Broccoli and colorectal cancer.

Colon cancer risk: Data about the relation between broccoli and colon cancer risk was provided by a pooled analysis of 10 cohorts (29). No association was found of high vs low consumption, but a significant protective effect (RR = 0.91) was found from intermediate levels of consumption (> 0 to < 1 serving/wk).
Rectal cancer risk: Data about the relation with rectal cancer risk was provided by 2 cohorts (6). No associations were found.
Colorectal cancer risk: Data from articles about 2 cohorts was not stratified by cancer site (though information about colon cancer was used by the pooled analysis). Both cohorts included women only. A nonsignificant protective effect was found in one cohort (17), but no association was found in the other one (23).

Conclusion: A significant protective effect from an intermediate level of broccoli consumption was found against total colon cancer risk in a pooled analysis of 10 cohorts. Broccoli possibly protects against total colon cancer risk at the level of consumption of > 0 to < 1 serving/wk (- 9%).

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