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Fish Consumption and Colorectal Cancer Risk: Meta-Analysis of Prospective Epidemiological Studies and Review of Evidence from Animal Studies.

  • 2022-01-27
  • Cancers 14(3)
    • Saverio Caini
    • Sofia Chioccioli
    • Elisa Pastore
    • Miriam Fontana
    • Katia Tortora
    • Giovanna Caderni
    • Giovanna Masala

Study Design

Type
Review
Sample size
n = 25
Population
individuals from 25 prospective epidemiological studies (25,777 CRC cases)
Methods
Meta-analysis of prospective epidemiological studies, random effects meta-analysis, dose-response meta-analysis, and review of preclinical studies
Background: Epidemiological studies on the association between fish consumption and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk have yielded inconsistent results, despite evidence from preclinical studies that long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit colorectal carcinogenesis. We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective epidemiological studies investigating the association between fish consumption and CRC risk among humans and reviewed studies examining the link between fish components and colorectal carcinogenesis in animal models. Methods: We included studies published until November 2020. We calculated the summary risk ratio (SRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) through random effects meta-analysis models in order to summarize evidence from studies among humans. Results: Twenty-five prospective epidemiological studies encompassing 25,777 CRC cases were included. Individuals in the highest (vs. lowest) category of fish consumption had a significantly reduced risk of CRC (SRR 0.94, 95%CI 0.89-0.99). In dose-response meta-analysis, a 50-g increment in the daily consumption of fish was associated with a statistically significant 4% reduction in CRC risk (SRR 0.96, 95%CI 0.92-0.99). Preclinical studies (n = 25) identified multiple mechanisms of action of fish and fish components on colorectal carcinogenesis. Conclusions: Dietary recommendations for cancer prevention should take into account the evidence from epidemiological and preclinical studies that increasing fish consumption may be effective in preventing CRC.

Research Insights

  • Fish→Reduced Risk of Colorectal Cancer

    Individuals in the highest (vs. lowest) category of fish consumption had a significantly reduced risk of CRC (SRR 0.94, 95%CI 0.89-0.99).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
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