This review evaluated the role of dietary components in pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. The authors performed searched in PubMed using the terms “pancreatic cancer”, together with “nutrition”, “diet”, “dietary factors”, “lifestyle”, “smoking”, “alcohol” and “epidemiology”. The results showed that fruits, particularly citrus, and vegetable consumption may be beneficial. The consumption of whole grains has been shown to reduce pancreatic cancer risk and fortification of whole grains with folate may confer further protection. Red meat, cooked at high temperatures, should be avoided, and replaced with poultry or fish. Total fat should be reduced. The use of curcumin and other flavonoids should be encouraged in the diet. There is no evidence for benefit from vitamin D supplementation. There may be benefit for dietary folate. Smoking and high Body Mass Index have both been inversely associated with pancreatic cancer risk. The authors conclude that there is evidence to encourage the use of whole grain in the staple diet and supplementation within the diet of folate, curcumin and other flavanoids. Carefully designed randomized trials are required to further elucidate these important matters. Anticancer Res. January 2014. PMID: 24403441.
