BETHESDA, Md.—High intake of dietary fats from red meat and dairy products was associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Researchers analyzed more than 500,000 people ages 50–71 years from the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study who completed a food-frequency questionnaire in 1995-1996; participants were followed up for 6.3 years.
Men and women who consumed high amounts of total fats had 53 percent and 23 percent higher relative rates of pancreatic cancer, respectively, compared with men and women who had the lowest fat consumption. Participants who consumed high amounts of saturated fats had 36 percent higher relative rates of pancreatic cancer compared with those who consumed low amounts.