Introduction:
Kidneys are a pair of organs which filter blood, remove impurities, excess minerals, salts, and excrete water. The kidneys produce hormones that help control blood pressure, red blood cell production, and other functions. Kidney cancer (several types exist) begins when normal cells in one or both kidneys change and grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. Research has shown that dietary history may affect the risk of developing kidney cancer leaving potential options for prevention.
Dietary habits and renal cell cancer:
Fruits, vegetables, and renal cell cancer:
Eating fruits and vegetables was linked with a reduced risk of kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) in men, but not women. Men who consumed at least 6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day were 55% less likely to develop renal cell carcinoma compared to men who had less than 3 servings per day. Vitamin A and C was found to be inversely associated with RCC in men. Vitamin E had no clear link to renal cell carcinoma in either men or women. (1)
Legumes and various types of cancer:
High consumption of legumes (beans, lentils) have been found to be associated with a decrease risk of various forms of cancer in this multisite case-control study of 11 cancer sites in Uruguay. Legume consumption and risk of various cancer were analyzed in 3,539 cancer cases and 2,032 cancer-free individuals. Comparing those who ate the most legumes (top 33%) against those who ate the least legumes (bottom 33%), high consumption of legumes was associated with a significant decrease in cancer risk of the oral cavity and pharynx (52% risk reduction), esophagus (46% risk reduction), larynx (45% risk reduction), upper aerodigestive tract (50% risk reduction, stomach (31% risk reduction), colorectum (57% risk reduction), kidney (59% risk reduction), and all sites combined (32% risk reduction). However, no significant association was found between legume consumption and risk of cancer of the lung, breast, prostate or bladder. (2)
Red meat consumption and risk of kidney cancer:
Red meat consumption has been found to be associated with various forms of cancer in a multisite case-control study of 11 cancer sites in Uruguay. High consumption of red meat was associated with an increased cancer risk of the oral cavity and pharynx (odds ratio [OR]= 3.65), esophagus (OR= 3.36), larynx (OR=2.91), stomach (OR= 2.19), colorectum (OR= 3.83), lung (OR= 2.17), breast (OR= 1.97), prostate (OR= 1.87), bladder (OR= 2.11) and kidney (OR= 2.72). Lamb was also associated with increased cancer risk. Eating a lot of processed meat was also linked to an increased risk of cancers of the esophagus (OR= 1.63), larynx (OR= 1.84), stomach (OR= 1.62), colorectum (OR= 2.15), lung (OR= 1.70) and breast (OR= 1.53). (3)
Coffee, tea, and renal cancer:
A clinical study to evaluate associations between coffee, tea, milk, soda, and fruit and vegetable juice intake and risks of developing renal cell cancer was conducted. This study included results from 13 studies including 530,469 women and 244,483 men. Follow-up was between 7-20 years. Information about diet was gathered at the beginning of the trial. The results indicate that individuals who drank 3 or more 8-ounce cups of coffee per day had a 16% reduced risk of developing renal cell carcinoma compared with those who drank less than one 8-ounce cup per day (relative risk [RR]=0.84). Individuals who drank one or more 8-ounce cups of tea per day had a 15% reduced risk of developing renal cell carcinoma compared with those who did not drink tea (RR=0.85). There were no associations between milk, soda, or juice intake. These results suggest that a greater intake of coffee and tea appears to lower the risk of renal cell cancer. (4)
Assessment and Plan: Kidney Cancer
- Research has shown that dietary history may affect the risk of developing kidney cancer leaving potential options for prevention.
- Men who consumed at least 6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day were 55% less likely to develop renal cell carcinoma compared to men who had less than 3 servings per day. There was no association of fruits and vegetable intake with kidney cancer found in women. Vitamin A and C intake from fruits and vegetables was found to be inversely associated with renal cell carcinoma in men (1).
- After reviewing cancer cases and comparing subjects in the top 33% of legume intake with the bottom 33%, it was found that those who ate the most legumes were found to have significantly less odds of developing kidney cancer (2).
- Aune D, et al found that a high intake of red meat and those with a high total meat intake substantially increased the odds of developing kidney cancer (3).
- In a review of 13 studies by Lee, J. et al included 530,469 women and 244,483 men followed over 7-20 years. Individuals who drank 3 or more 8-ounce cups of coffee per day had a 16% lower risk of developing renal cell carcinoma compared with those who drank less than one 8-ounce cup per day (relative risk [RR]=0.84) and a 15% lower risk of developing renal cell carcinoma with one or more cups of tea per day compared with non-tea drinkers (RR=0.85)(4).
References:
1.Lee JE, Giovannucci E, Smith-Warner SA, Spiegelman D, Willett WC, Curhan GC. Intakes of fruits, vegetables, vitamins A, C, and E, and carotenoids and risk of renal cell cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006 Dec;15(12):2445-52. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17164369
2.Aune D, De Stefani E, Ronco A, et al. Legume intake and the risk of cancer: a multisite case-control study in Uruguay. Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Nov;20(9):1605-15. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19653110
3.Aune D, et al. Meat consumption and cancer risk: a case-control study in Uruguay. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. (2009). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19640186
4.Lee J, Hunter D, Spiegelman D, et al. Intakes of coffee, tea, milk, soda and juice and renal cell cancer in a pooled analysis of 13 prospective studies. Int J Cancer. 2007 Nov 15;121(10):2246-53. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17583573