New study findings suggest that a diet pattern characterized by eating fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer among men.The investigators evaluated the association between certain dietary patterns and the risk of pancreatic cancer.

The dietary intake of 585 patients with pancreatic cancer was compared with that of 4,779 individuals who did not have this cancer. The three dietary patterns assessed included the Western diet, which consisted of eating a lot of processed meats, sweets and desserts, a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and a “drinker” diet, in which subjects consume large amounts of liquor, beer and wine.

The outcomes showed that among men, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables was associated with a 49 percent reduced risk of developing pancreatic cancer. However, no significant relationship was noted between pancreatic cancer risk and the Western diet and the “drinker” dietary pattern. These data were published in the May 1 issue of The International Journal of Cancer.