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New research continues to confirm what has long been observed: a lifestyle that incorporates physical activity and a diet rich in plant-based foods, whole grains, and coffee, while avoiding sugary drinks, potentially improves the outcomes and overall survival of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Recent evidence presented by the Global Cancer Update Programme also assessed the role of body fat and sedentary lifestyle in this cancer’s outcomes. The authors emphasized the need for more well-designed interventional and cohort studies to strengthen the development of solid recommendations for patients with colorectal cancer and health professionals.

Due to an uptick in the number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer at younger ages, it is more important than ever for health professionals to share health recommendations backed by scientific evidence with their patients.

A plant-based diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains may lower the risk of developing this cancer, especially if this diet is adopted at an early age and maintained throughout life. Why?

• Foods that contain fiber reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
• Vegetables contain a wide variety of substances (like carotenoids, selenium, and lycopene) that can provide comprehensive protection against cancer.
• Oatmeal, brown rice, and other whole grains reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Fiber nourishes the gut microbiome, an ecosystem of metabolically active bacteria that produce metabolites that promote mucosal health and reduce inflammation. When fiber and bacteria combine in the gut, they produce butyrate, which helps keep intestinal cells healthy and reduce the likelihood of tumor growth.

Conversely, when diets are high in meat and fat and low in fiber, the microbiome produces a different set of metabolites that include hydrogen sulfide, ammonium products, and bile acids. This promotes mucosal inflammation and consequently increases cancer risk.

Preventive actions for CRC are all interconnected. For example, a good diet also supports another key strategy for colorectal cancer prevention: physical exercise. Proper nutrition plays an important role in providing energy for exercise, while also promoting overall health and reducing cancer risk.

A good diet prepares the mind for exercise by creating a mindset of no excuses. Together, the triad of diet, mindset, and exercise form the foundation of cancer prevention.

Consistently incorporating these habits into a daily routine prevents not only colorectal cancer and associated mortality but also the health care costs associated with that diagnosis.

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the world. In 2020, there were over 1.9 million new diagnoses and more than 930,000 deaths.

Colorectal cancer rates are one to two times higher in men than in women.

In the United States, medical associations agree that people should get their first colonoscopy at age 45 (previously it was age 50). However, health professionals may order one earlier if there is a family history of this type of cancer or if the patient has a chronic bowel disease like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. In this case, colonoscopies may be done every one to two years. If the patient has a genetic risk factor for colorectal cancer, this screening test will need to be started early as well.

Five percent of people who develop colorectal cancer have inherited a genetic mutation that causes hereditary conditions that can lead to this disease.

Although genetics can play a key role in the development of CRC in young adults, scientists are still investigating the reasons this cancer appears at a young age.

Screening programs and colonoscopies continue to be crucial tools for identifying the disease early.

CRC mortality in Latin America have increased by 20.5% in the past 30 years, and disparities persist between regions and countries.

This story was produced using content from original studies or reports, and other medical research and health and public health sources, highlighted in related links throughout the article.