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This study examines the association between dietary patterns and endometrial cancer risk. A case-control study of endometrial cancer was conducted from 1996 to 1999 in the San Francisco Bay Area in white, African-American, and Latina women age 35-79. Dietary patterns were defined using a principal components analysis; scoring dietary intake based on correspondence to a Mediterranean-style diet; and by jointly categorizing intake of fruits/vegetables and dietary fat. Four dietary patterns were identified and labeled "plant-based," "western," "ethnic," and "phytoestrogen-rich." None of these dietary patterns nor adherence to a Mediterranean diet (to the extent consumed by this population) was associated with endometrial cancer risk. However, among non-users of supplements, greater consumption of the "western" dietary pattern was associated with a 60% increase in risk (95% CI: 0.95-2.7 per unit change; P-interaction = 0.10). A diet characterized by high fat consumption increased risk, regardless of fruit and vegetable consumption (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 0.97-2.1 for high fat, low fruit/vegetable intake and OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 0.95-2.1 for high fat, high fruit/vegetable intake compared to low fat, high fruit/vegetable intake). Thus, while like others we found that dietary fat increases endometrial cancer risk, the evaluation of dietary patterns did not provide any additional information regarding risk.

(C)2007 Kluwer Academic Publishers