Does the consumption of pasta, rice and groats affect the risk of cancer of women’s reproductive organs and breast?

Abstract

To determine whether the consumption, together with the frequency and quantity of consumption of wholegrain pasta, rice and groats is related to the risk of reproductive and breast cancer among women. Material and methods: Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) covering the 12 months prior to diagnosis was used. It consisted of questions evaluating the frequency of consumption of specific cereal products that may contribute to the development of or protect against malignant reproductive or breast tumours. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in relation to the frequency of consumption of rice and pasta. Groats were consumed significantly more often by the ill women (women with gynaecologic malignancy) (p < 0.05). However, the ill women consumed smaller quantities of groats, rice and pasta than the healthy women (control group). The healthy women consumed more cereal products and significantly more rice compared to the ill women (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Age was the main factor impacting the incidence of breast and reproductive tract cancer, followed by the consumption of longgrain rice, aromatic rice, and BMI. A higher mean age and BMI was noted among the ill women. The consumption of long rice was higher among healthy women, while the consumption of aromatic rice was higher among women with cancer.