Volume 88, Issue Suppl., September (2002), pp. s73-s87 © The Author 2002
doi:10.1079/BJN2002668

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Diet and cancer: assessing the risk

C. I. R. Gill^*, I. R. Rowland
University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, BT52 1SA, UK

Globally, colorectal cancer is a leading cause of mortality from malignant disease. Case–control and cohort studies provide strong support for a role of diet in the aetiology of colorectal cancer. However to establish causal relationships and to identify more precisely the dietary components involved, intervention studies in human subjects are required. Cancer is an impractical endpoint in terms of numbers, cost, study duration and ethical considerations. Consequently, intermediate biomarkers of the disease are required. This review aims to provide an overview of the intermediate endpoints available for the study of colorectal cancer, particularly non-invasive faecal biomarkers. Examples of their use in dietary intervention studies are given.

Keywords:
Colorectal cancer: Biomarkers: Diet: Gut microflora