Dietary fat intake after colon cancer diagnosis in relation to cancer recurrence and survival: CALGB 89803 (Alliance)

Background: Higher intake of long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and nuts, rich plant sources of unsaturated fats, after colon cancer diagnosis are associated with improved survival. It isnot known whether theamount or the distribution of other types of fat is associated with survival after coloncancer. Methods: We prospectively examined postdiagnostic total, animal, and vegetable fats, as well as the saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fat in relation to disease-free survival among 1,011 patients with stage III colon cancer. Patients were enrolled between 1999 and 2001 at the onset of adjuvant chemotherapy and followed for recurrence or death through 2009. Results: During median follow-up of 7 years, we observed 305 deaths and 81 recurrences (total events: 386). Neither total nor any specific type of dietary fat examined was statistically significantly associated with risk of cancer recurrence or death from any cause (disease-free survival) after stage III colon cancer. Conclusions: The amount and type (animal, vegetable, saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans) of dietary fat consumed after colon cancer does not appear to be substantially associated with risk of recurrence or survival. Impact: Neither total nor major types (animal, vegetable, saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans) of dietary fat consumed after colon cancer was associated with cancer recurrence or survival.