The International Journal of Cancer (1998;77:24-28) recently published
an article stating "High intake of whole grain foods consistently
reduced risk of (cancer) at all sites, except thyroid." According to Dr.
Liliane Chatenoud and colleagues at the institute, they studied more
than 10,000 hospital patients with a variety of cancers and almost 8000
patients treated for non-cancerous conditions between 1983 and 1996 in
Northern Italy. The patients filled out questionnaires about their
medical history, smoking habits, consumption of alcohol and intake of a
variety of foods, especially whole grains.

Specifically, the researchers say a diet with many whole grains lowered
risk of various cancers such, specifically those affecting the digestive
tract (stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas and gall bladder) and
those outside the digestive system, including the upper respiratory
tract, breast, prostate, ovaru, bladder and kidney.

The article goes on to state that researchers do not offer any
conclusive reason why grains reduce cancer risk, but speculate that
because whole grains have more insoluble fiber they spend less time in
the digestive tract. They also think whole grains may have antioxidant
effects by "mopping up" cancer-causing free radicals.

Now ain't this a hoot! Something tells me these folks may have been
funded by the bread and pasta industry!