A new study involving 100,000 women found no evidence of a link between consumption of acrylamide and breast cancer. Acrylamide is found naturally in many foods including french fries, breads and cereal, in addition to coffee and cigarette smoke.This study was presented Tuesday at the 234th national meeting of the American Chemical Society.
Acrylamide at high levels is known to promote cancer growth in rats and mice, however none of the human studies to date have found a link between dietary levels of acrylamide and cancer risk including colon, rectal, bladder and kidney cancer.
Additional papers to be highlighted at the meeting regarding acrylamide and food can be found here.
1. This study provides some reassurance as we watch our teens indulge in fast food, but concern over consumption of french fries still remains. A study published in "Lancet" demonstrated that those who eat at fast food establishments two or more times per week are twice as likely to be obese, and obesity is responsible for 20 percent of cancer in women in the US. Another study published in "The International Journal of Cancer" showed that women who consumed a large amounts of french fries when they were children had a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Whatever the mechanism, it would seem wise to cut down on fries whether or not acrylamide poses a cancer risk!
Lynne Eldridge MD
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
Posted at 4:33PM on Aug 22nd 2007 by Lynne Eldridge M.D.