Association of Frequency of Organic Food Consumption With Cancer RiskFindings From the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort Study

Original Investigation October 22, 2018 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2707948 Julia Baudry, PhD1; Karen E. Assmann, PhD1; Mathilde Touvier, PhD1; et al Benjamin Allès, PhD1; Louise Seconda, MSc1; Paule Latino-Martel, PhD1; Khaled Ezzedine, MD, PhD1,2; Pilar Galan, MD, PhD1; Serge Hercberg, MD, PhD1,3; Denis Lairon, PhD4; Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot, PhD1 Author Affiliations 1Centre de Recherche Epidémiologie et Statistique Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1153, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) U1125, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Université Paris 13, Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle, Bobigny, France 2Département de Dermatologie, Hôpital St André, Bordeaux, France 3Département de Santé Publique, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France 4Centre de Recherche en Cardiovasculaire et Nutrition, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INRA, Marseille, France JAMA Intern Med. Published online October 22, 2018. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4357 JAMA Intern Med. Published online October 22, 2018. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4357 editorial comment icon Editorial Comment author interview icon Interviews Invited Commentary Organic Foods for Cancer Prevention Elena C. Hemler, BS; Jorge E. Chavarro, MD, ScD; Frank B. Hu, MD, PhD Audio Interview (14:47) Association of Organic Food Consumption With Cancer Risk Full Text Key Points Question What is the association between an organic food–based diet (ie, a diet less likely to contain pesticide residues) and cancer risk? Findings In a population-based cohort study of 68 946 French adults, a significant reduction in the risk of cancer was observed among high consumers of organic food. Meaning A higher frequency of organic food consumption was associated with a reduced risk of cancer; if the findings are confirmed, promoting organic food consumption in the general population could be a promising preventive strategy against cancer. Abstract Importance Although organic foods are less likely to contain pesticide residues than conventional foods, few studies have examined the association of organic food consumption with cancer risk. Objective To prospectively investigate the association between organic food consumption and the risk of cancer in a large cohort of French adults. Design, Setting, and Participants In this population-based prospective cohort study among French adult volunteers, data were included from participants with available information on organic food consumption frequency and dietary intake. For 16 products, participants reported their consumption frequency of labeled organic foods (never, occasionally, or most of the time). An organic food score was then computed (range, 0-32 points). The follow-up dates were May 10, 2009, to November 30, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures This study estimated the risk of cancer in association with the organic food score (modeled as quartiles) using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for potential cancer risk factors. Results Among 68 946 participants (78.0% female; mean [SD] age at baseline, 44.2 [14.5] years), 1340 first incident cancer cases were identified during follow-up, with the most prevalent being 459 breast cancers, 180 prostate cancers, 135 skin cancers, 99 colorectal cancers, 47 non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and 15 other lymphomas. High organic food scores were inversely associated with the overall risk of cancer (hazard ratio for quartile 4 vs quartile 1, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.88; P for trend = .001; absolute risk reduction, 0.6%; hazard ratio for a 5-point increase, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.96). Conclusions and Relevance A higher frequency of organic food consumption was associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Although the study findings need to be confirmed, promoting organic food consumption in the general population could be a promising preventive strategy against cancer.