Keywords: bladder cancer, diet, western diet, epidemiology

"Higher adherence to the Western diet increases the risk of bladder cancer"

In this thesis the association between the Western diet & its main components, and the risk on bladder cancer was studied. Results indicate that higher adherence to the Western diet could increase bladder cancer risk, which might derive from high consumption of organ meat. Little evidence of an inverse association was found between fish consumption and bladder cancer risk. This thesis also highlighted the role of fats and oils in association with the bladder cancer risk, showing the protective effects of MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) and adverse effects of higher intake of cholesterol on bladder cancer risk. Higher consumption of animal fat might be detrimental, while plant-based fats & oils and sunflower oil could be beneficial for bladder cancer prevention. The results of the present thesis could be applicable for the prevention of bladder cancer by providing guidelines in order to minimize the adherence to the Western diet and encourage people to follow a healthier diet (i.e., the Mediterranean diet).