Psyllium Reduces Risk of Colon Cancer

MADRID, Spain--Intake of psyllium (Plantagoovata) is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer in constipatedindividuals, according to research in October's European Journal of CancerPrevention (11, 5:465-72, 2002) (www.eurjcancerprev.com).Researchers from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid evaluated certain riskand protective factors for colon cancer in Spain by comparing cancer cases fromthe Cancer Data Exchange Systems of the Community of Madrid with random caseschosen from electoral records. The study population consisted of 424 peopletotal. A risk factor for colon cancer was a lack of physical exercise, which wasfound to be protective even at moderate activity once or twice a week. Exerciseremained protective even in the presence of constipation. Psyllium and aspirinintake were also found to be protective against colon cancer, particularly inconstipated subjects.