Scientific Study

BACKGROUND: Nut intake has been associated with decreased cancer-related mortality, but few studies have examined the potential of nuts in the chemoprevention of pancreatic cancer. We prospectively investigated the association of total nut, tree nut, peanut, and peanut butter consumption with pancreatic cancer risk. METHODS: In the Netherlands Cohort Study, 120,852 men and women completed a baseline questionnaire, including a food frequency questionnaire, in 1986. After 20.3 years of follow-up, 583 incident pancreatic cancer cases, including 349 microscopically confirmed pancreatic cancer (MCPC) cases, were included in multivariable case-cohort analyses. RESULTS: Increased total nut consumption was associated with a non-significantly decreased MCPC risk in men (HR (95% CI) for 10+ g/day vs. nonconsumers = 0.72 (0.47-1.11), P-trend = 0.163). No clear association was found in women. For tree nut and peanut consumption, non-significant inverse associations were observed in men. In women, no or unclear associations were found for tree nut and peanut consumption. Peanut butter intake was related to a significantly reduced risk of MCPC in men (HR (95% CI) for 5+ g/day vs. nonconsumers = 0.53 (0.28-1.00), P-trend = 0.047), but this relation was not clear in women. Evidence for a nonlinear dose-response relation with MCPC was found for tree nut intake only. The associations were weaker when looking at total pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that nuts and peanut butter might reduce pancreatic cancer risk in men. In women, no or unclear associations were found. IMPACT: Nut consumption might reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer in men.