An epidemiologic study suggested eating a lot of fruit and vegetables may help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer in men.

The case-control study involved 585 pancreatic cancer cases and 4,779 controls in eight Canadian provinces between 1994 and 1999. The dietary habits were surveyed and analyzed using a multivariate analysis method. Identified and grouped were three dietary patterns, WESTERN characterized by high intake of meat, sugar, and refined grains; FRUIT/VEGETABLES characterized by high intake of fresh fruits and cruciferous vegetables; DRINKER characterized by high intake of liquor, wine and beer.

The study found that those who ate the highest amount of fruit and vegetables (highest quartile) are 50 percent less likely to have pancreatic cancer than those who used the lowest amount of fruits and vegetables (lowest quartile). There was no association with the Western dietary and drinker patterns.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and the fifth in women. As predicted by the American Cancer Society, about 32,180 people in the US will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 31,800 will die of the disease.

The study was conducted by André Nkondjock and collegues from University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada and other organizations. The results were published in the May 1 issue of International Journal of Cancer.