Relationship between intakes of meat, fish and poultry and risk of prostate cancer among Iranian men: A case-control study

Background : Red/processed meats are suggested to increase risk of prostate cancer (PCa). We examined the link between unprocessed red meat, processed meat, fish and poultry consumption with risk of PCa. Methods: In this hospital based, case–control study, a total of 50 patients with prostate cancer and 100 controls underwent face-to-face interviews. Regression analysis, were used to examine the relation between unprocessed red meat, processed meat, fish and poultry consumption and risk of PCa . Results: We observed a significant positive association between consumption of total meat and risk of PCa (above median vs. below median: OR = 4.6, 95%CI 1.7-12.5). A significant positive association between organ meat (above median vs. below median: OR=3.1, 95%CI =1.3-7.6) and processed meat (above median vs. below median: OR=2.5, 95%CI =1.0-6.1) and risk of PCa was observed (p<0.05). Positive association between beef and mutton consumption and risk of PCa wasn’t significant (p =0.762). Fish consumption were also negatively associated with risk of PCa (above median vs. below median: OR = 0.07, 95%   CI =0.02-0.2) (p<0.05). The association between poultry consumption and risk of PCa, wasn’t significant (p =0.083). Conclusions : The results of the present study suggest that high consumption of processed meat and organ meat might be positively associated with an increased risk of PCa in Iranian men. Furthermore, fish consumption might be a protective factor for PCa in Iranian men.