Dr Melkonian said: ‘Diets high in glycemic index result in higher levels of blood glucose and insulin, which promote perturbations in the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs).
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Previous studies have found that dietary factors may have an influence on a person’s risk of developing lung cancer.
“Previous research suggests increased levels of IGFs are associated with increased lung cancer risk”.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women, not counting skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, and is the most deadly. The screening with low-dose computer tomography must be done in a health care setting with expertise in diagnosing and treating lung cancer, the task force says.
The researchers analyzed the data of 1,905 participants with lung cancer and 2,413 healthy controls who were part of an ongoing lung cancer study at MD Anderson.
Researchers saw a 15 percent reduction in lung cancer deaths in people screened under the new guidelines. This means that average quality, instead of quantity of carbohydrates is the one possibly modulating the cancer risk, Wu says.
Researchers found people in the highest (fifth) intake group for high-GI foods were about 49% more likely to have lung cancer than someone in the lowest (first) intake group.
Response: While GI is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, particularly in never smokers, it is important to realize that the life time risk of lung cancer, particularly in never smokers, is still extremely low. Scientists may be closer to an explanation for that seeming conundrum-and it has to do with white bread.
This study does suggest a link between GI and lung cancer that is worthy of further investigation. For never-smokers, however, those in the highest quintile of GL were found to have an 81% greater risk of lung cancer, compared with those in the lowest GL quintile. GI is primarily used as a guide in selecting foods for diabetes prevention and management.
Dr. Christian Finlay, a thoracic surgeon at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, Ont., said between 18 and 20 per cent of lung cancer patients he sees have treatable disease – a rate he called “tragic”.
However, the team notes that less is known about how the GI of foods is linked to lung cancer – something they set out to investigate in this latest study.
In contrast, those with more than 12 years of education only had an elevated risk of 33 per cent.
They also said that the study was limited in that they only evaluated non-Hispanic white people.
“These guidelines translate evidence into action”, said Dr. Stephen Lam, a Distinguished Scientist in the Department of Integrative Oncology at the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre and principal investigator with the Pan-Canadian Early Lung Cancer Detection Study.
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Whole wheat and pumpernickel bread, rolled or steel-cut oatmeal and wholemeal pasta all boast a low glycaemic index, making them ideal swaps.
