Diet and colorectal cancer risk and survival

SUMMARY Unhealthy dietary and other lifestyle factors account for 20–45% of all colorectal cancer cases. Being overweight or obese, having a high intake of red and processed meat and alcohol increase the risk of colorectal cancer, while a high intake of dairy products, fruits and vegetables, foods containing dietary fiber and being physically active lower the risk of colorectal cancer. There are only a limited number of studies available on diet and outcomes in colorectal cancer survivors. Most of these studies are retrospective in nature, and are small in size, which makes it difficult to draw conclusions. However, the available studies to date putatively suggest that lifestyle factors lowering the risk of colorectal cancer are also beneficial for cancer survivors.