Research on Diet and CLL

Dietary Factors and Risk of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma: A Pooled Analysis of Two Prospective Studies

1. Huei-Ting Tsai1,2,
2. Amanda J. Cross1,
3. Barry I. Graubard1,
4. Martin Oken3,
5. Arthur Schatzkin1 and
6. Neil E. Caporaso1

+Author Affiliations

1. Authors' Affiliations:¹Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland; ²Cancer Control Program, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia; and ³Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

1. Corresponding Author:
   Neil E. Caporaso, Pharmacogenetics Section, Genetic Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, EPS 7002, 6120 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20892. Phone: 301-496-4377; Fax: 301-402-4489. E-mail: caporaso@nih.gov

Abstract

Background: Other than male sex, family history, advanced age, and race, risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) are unknown. Very few studies have investigated diet in relation to these leukemias, and no consistent associations are known.

Methods: Using two large prospective population-based studies, we evaluated the relationship between diet and CLL/SLL risk. Among 525,982 men and women free of cancer at enrollment, we identified 1,129 incident CLL/SLL cases during 11.2 years of follow-up.

Results: We found no associations between total fat, saturated fat, fiber, red meat, processed meat, fruit, or vegetable intake and risk of CLL/SLL. We noted a suggestive positive association between body mass index and CLL/SLL (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.36).

Conclusion: We did not find any associations between food or nutrient intake and CLL/SLL.

Impact: Our large prospective study indicates that diet may not play a role in CLL/SLL development. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(10); 2680–4. ©2010 AACR.

I share this so my CLL friends and readers won't feel too guilty that it was too many steaks or too few veggies that did them in. That said, it is clear that a plant based diet is much healthier for us all in terms of heart disease and overall mortality, so I am staying with my raw vegan ways. And anyway, statistics, as we all know, only talk about groups, not individuals.