Colon cancer, the third most common type of cancer throughout the world, has been associated with an increase in the Western diet: high fat, low fibre, low in vitamin D and calcium .
Scientists led by researchers at Rockefeller University have illustrated that what happens to colon tissue when mice are put on such a diet is that there is an inflammatory response which could trigger for carcinogenic processes.
Peter Holt, a senior research associate stated that there is convincing evidence that increased intake of processed meat, red meat and alcohol can increase risk of colon cancer.
On the other hand, more consumption of dietary fibre, calcium and milk could decrease risk of colon cancer.
Mr Holt went on to confirm that the findings showed that a Western diet brings about oxidative stress and changes immune responses in the colon of mice long before tumors occur.