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The search for the causes of breast and colon cancer

Abstract

Epidemiological studies of breast and colon cancers implicate diet as a causative factor but the evidence is stronger for colon cancer, the occurrence of which may be reduced by diets with less animal fat and more fruit and vegetables.

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Willett, W. The search for the causes of breast and colon cancer. Nature 338, 389–394 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/338389a0

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