Fat Consumption and Prostate Cancer

Researchers have asked if there is a relationship between nutrition and cancer---and many studies have shown that there is. In fact, one of the conclusions of a study appearing in the journal Advances in Cancer Research [1] was that "... none of the risk factors for cancer is probably more significant than diet and nutrition."

Prostate cancer is one of the most virulent forms of cancer. Generally, it has spread before being detected and is usually fatal. One dietary factor that has been studied for its relationship with prostate cancer is fat consumption. The data in Table 1 were obtained from a graph in John Robbins' book Diet for a New America [2], which was adapted from data in [1]. The table itself is from Introductory Statistics [3] by Neil Weiss.

We will analyse this data using MINITAB's Regression procedure. To obtain an explanation of how to use the Regression procedure, click the first link below; to open MINITAB and load the data in Table 1 into a Worksheet, click the second link below:

  Instructions for using MINITAB's Regression procedure

  Open MINITAB and load data

Table 1  Fat Consumption and Prostate Cancer Death Rates

References

[1]  B. Reddy et al (1980), "Nutrition and Its Relationship to Cancer," Advances in Cancer Research, 32, 237-345.

[2]  John Robbins (1987), Diet for a New America. Walpole, NH: Stillpoint Publishing.

[3]  Neil A. Weiss (1997), Introductory Statistics, Fourth Edition, Alternate Version Featuring MINITAB for Windows. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

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