Meat, fish, dairy products and risk of hematological malignancies in adults – a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

This systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies examine the association of meat, fish, and dairy product consumption with the risk of hematological neoplasms in adults. Thirteen studies encompassing 1,480,986 participants and 10,442 incident cases were included. Red or processed meat consumption was not associated with the risk of leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL/SLL). Poultry consumption did not seem to affect the risk of leukemia, NHL, CLL/SLL, and multiple myeloma (MM). Fish consumption was not associated with leukemia, NHL, CLL/SLL, and MM risk. Interestingly though, fish consumption was positively associated with myeloid leukemia risk (pooled RR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.22-2.47, random effects, highest <i>vs.</i> lowest category). Milk and dairy product consumption was not associated with NHL and leukemia risk. In conclusion, methodologically strict prospective studies are mandatory, in order to extract reliable conclusions concerning the role of these dietary factors in hematological malignancies.