Dietary fat, calories, and fiber in colon cancer.

The purpose of this presentation is (a) to provide an overview of the data thus far obtained in human epidemiological studies and laboratory animal models on the relationship between dietary fat, calories, and fiber and colon carcinogenesis and (b) to discuss whether the effect of dietary fat on colon carcinogenesis is due to the specific action of fat or to an associated caloric effect. Although the primary discussion of this presentation will be on laboratory animal model studies, reference will be made to human studies where appropriate. Future research will produce additional evidence for the etiologic role of types of dietary fat and fiber and total calories in cancer of the colon discussed in this presentation.