Impact of Red Meat Intake to Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is considered an important public health challenge since it ranks as the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and the fourth cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Influence of consumption of red meat on colorectal cancer risk is unclear. We attempted to provide an overview of published observational studies, meta-analysis and bi-directional case control studies from different geographical region to prove the association of red meat intake and colorectal cancer risk in this review article. Most published data indicated, with few exceptions, that, an increase of either the dose or the frequency of total red meat consumption is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer. In estimating cancer risk, confounding factor adjustments are made for age, sex, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, family history of colorectal or other cancer etc.