Folate intake and risk of colorectal cancer: a systematic review and up-to-date meta-analysis of prospective studies

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #folic-acid #prospective-studies #diet #colonic-neoplasms

Folate intake and risk of colorectal cancer: a systematic review and up-to-date meta-analysis of prospective studies

Fu et al., 2023 | Eur J Cancer Prev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Fu Hongjuan, He Jianbo, ... Chang Hui. Folate intake and risk of colorectal cancer: a systematic review and up-to-date meta-analysis of prospective studies. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2023-Mar-01;32(2):103-112. doi:10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000744

Abstract

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed and deadly cancers worldwide. Epidemiological studies on the relationship between folate intake and the risk of colorectal cancer have reported inconsistent findings since folate fortification in the USA. For this situation, we conducted a large number of data analyses to study the relationship between folate intake and colorectal cancer risk. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to search the literature systematically. Eligible studies were reviewed and meta-analyzed to assess the relationship. RESULTS: A total of 24 cohort studies involving 37 280 patients and 6 165 894 individuals were included. The results showed that high folate intake was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. The combined relative risk (RR) for the highest intake compared with the lowest was 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83-0.92, P  = 10 -4 ). Further studies indicated that the increase of folate intake may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer in people with medium or high alcohol consumption (RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99, P  = 0.008; RR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98, P   =  0.003), but not in non-drinkers (RR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.02, P  = 0.827). Next, high folate intake may decrease the risk of colon cancer (RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.81-0.92, P  = 10 -4 ) but not rectal cancer (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.84-1.02, P  = 0.112). Additionally, the result that high folate intake may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer was observed in the USA and Europe but not in other regions. CONCLUSION: High folate intake may be protective against colon cancer, particularly in people with middle or high alcohol consumption, but it still needs to be further confirmed.

Key Findings

A total of 24 cohort studies involving 37 280 patients and 6 165 894 individuals were included. The results showed that high folate intake was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. The combined relative risk (RR) for the highest intake compared with the lowest was 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83-0.92, P  = 10 -4 ). Further studies indicated that the increase of folate intake may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer in people with medium or high alcohol consumption (RR =

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 280
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Folic Acid
  • Prospective Studies
  • Diet
  • Colonic Neoplasms
  • Risk
  • Colorectal Neoplasms
  • Risk Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: folate-cancer

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09