A new study published this week has linked chicken consumption during teenage years to a lowered risk in colon cancer.  The study of more than 20,000 women found that those who ate more chicken as teens had a lower risk of colorectal adenomas, which are benign tumors that can progress into colon cancer.

The researchers did not find a direct relationship between red meat intake and adenomas, but the results showed that replacing one serving per day of red meat with one serving of poultry or fish may reduce the risks of rectal and advanced adenomas by about 40 percent.

The correlation was only found between women who ate larger amounts of poultry during high school. No correlation was found between poultry consumption as an adult and reduced risk of colon cancer.  Diet is usually a lower risk factor for cancer, but among all cancers, colon cancer is most influenced by one’s diet.

The results add to previous evidence that eating poultry may decrease risk of colon cancer.

This study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology on June 19.  The abstract can be found here.