A cohort study of adolescent and mid-life diet and pancreatic cancer risk in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study

Authors

• VL Gordon-Dseagu
• FE Thompson
• AF Subar
• EH Ruder
• AC Thiébaut
• N Potischman
• R Stolzenberg-Solomon

Abstract

Background: Given the low survival rates and long latency period of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), exploring the influence of early and midlife exposures will further advance our understanding of this highly fatal cancer. Methods: We examined diet during adolescence, 10 years before baseline (ages 40-61 years), and their joint effects upon PDA incidence in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. 303,094 participants aged 50-71 y completed two food frequency questionnaires that assessed diet at ages 12-13 years and 40 to 61 years. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Average follow-up was 10.1 years and 1,322 PDA cases were identified. Comparing highest to lowest tertile (T3 vs T1), carbohydrate intake during adolescence (HR (95% CI): 0.87 (0.76, 0.99), but not 10 years before baseline, was inversely associated with PDA. Total fat intake 10 years before baseline was significantly associated with risk (1.17 (1.02, 1.34). High fat intake during both adolescence and midlife were positively associated with risk (1.37 (1.12, 1.67)). Calcium intake 10 years before baseline (0.87: 0.76, 0.99) and a change from low intake in adolescence to high intake in midlife (0.71 (0.54, 0.93)) was associated with a reduced HR. High solid fat intake 10 years before baseline imparted increased risk (1.22 (1.06, 1.41), as did solid fat consumption during both time points (1.33 (1.09, 1.61)). Conclusion: Our study found a number of dietary factors, present during adolescence and midlife, to be associated with subsequent risk of PDA.

Scientific Focus Area: Epidemiology

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