Associated nutritional risk of breast and colon cancers: a population-based case-control study in Montreal, Canada

To investigate whether particular patterns of food consumption are related to the occurrence of breast and colon cancer, two simultaneous case-control studies of French-Canadians with 616 cases (414 breast cancer, 202 colon cancer) and 429 population-based controls were carried out. Food consumption data were obtained via a validated food frequency questionnaire. Three dietary patterns were identified. The ‘chocolate–cereal’ pattern was typified by a high intake of chocolate-based products, breakfast cereals, water, and fruits. The ‘pork and processed meat’ pattern was characterized by a high intake of pork, white bread and processed meat products, with the ‘drinker’ pattern depicted by elevated consumption of wine, liquor, and beer. After adjustment for determinants of breast and colon cancers, no significant association was apparent between the three dietary patterns and breast or colon cancer. These results suggest that the observed breast and colon cancer relationship may not be a result of food patterns in French-Canadian women.