In a group of more than 27,000 men aged 59 and 60 years, those who ate the most folate had about half the risk of developing cancer of those who consumed the least, Dr. Rachael Stolzenberg-Solomon of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, and associates report in the April issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. A total of 157 men in the study developed pancreatic cancer. All had completed food questionnaires as part of the study .
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading killer among cancers in the United States.
According to the American Cancer Society, cigarette smoking and a high-fat diet both increase pancreatic cancer risk. The researchers found, consistent with past research, that smoking nearly doubled pancreatic cancer risk. The US Department of Agriculture recommends that all adults eat five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables a day, enough to cover the recommended 400 daily micrograms of folate. Other folate-rich foods include orange juice, dried beans and peas and fortified cereals. Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 Copyright and Privacy Policy , We welcome your comments.