Abstract P035: Associations between meat and fish intake and aggressive prostate cancer in the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP)
Authors: Sainyo Jessica , Steck Susan E. , Su L. Joseph , Arab Lenore , Bensen Jeannette T. , Fontham Elizabeth T.H. , Mohler James L. 
Published: January 2023

Objective: Results of studies examining the association between intake of meat or fish and prostate cancer have been mixed. However, few of the previous studies have included a racially diverse population or focused on aggressive prostate cancer. We aimed to examine the association between intake of meat and fish and aggressive prostate cancer in the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project, a case-only study of Black and White men in the United States. Methods: Meat and fish intakes in the year prior to diagnosis were estimated using an interviewer-administered modified version of the National Cancer Institute Diet History Questionnaire in 909 Black and 991 White men with a recent histologically confirmed diagnosis of prostate cancer. High aggressive prostate cancer (n=332) was defined as Gleason sum ≥8, or PSA&gt; 20ng/ml, or Gleason sum ≥7 AND clinical stage T3-T4, and the comparison group was all other prostate cancer cases (n=1,568). Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for high aggressive prostate cancer by tertile of meat and fish intake variables, with adjustment for age, energy intake, race, study site, education, family history of prostate cancer, prostate cancer screening history, Charlson comorbidity index, NSAIDs use, smoking status, alcohol intake, and intake of vegetables, fruits, and milk. Results: We observed increased odds of aggressive prostate cancer among men in the second tertile compared to the first tertile for total red meat (OR:1.23. 95% CI: 0.91 – 1.68) and unprocessed red meat (OR:1.30. 95% CI: 0.96 – 1.76), though confidence intervals were imprecise and associations in the top tertile were weaker. For processed meat, a non-statistically significant increased odds of aggressive prostate cancer was observed among men in the third tertile compared to the first tertile (OR:1.27. 95% CI: 0.91 – 1.78). ORs for higher intake of fish and poultry were in the inverse direction but were weak and not statistically significant. Conclusions: In this racially diverse case-only study, we observed weak positive associations between red and processed meat and aggressive prostate cancer, and little evidence of an association with fish or poultry intake. While high temperature cooking and charring of meat is known to increase carcinogen formation, one limitation of our study was the lack of information on cooking methods or doneness of the meat consumed. Additional research is warranted among racially diverse populations that considers cooking methods and doneness preferences.

Citation Format: Jessica Sainyo, Susan E. Steck, L. Joseph Su, Lenore Arab, Jeannette T. Bensen, Elizabeth T.H. Fontham, James L. Mohler. Associations between meat and fish intake and aggressive prostate cancer in the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Precision Prevention, Early Detection, and Interception of Cancer; 2022 Nov 17-19; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2023;16(1 Suppl): Abstract nr P035.