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Colorectal Cancer Prevention Through Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications

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Cancer Microenvironment

Abstract

Several studies indicate that Western dietary and lifestyle factors are responsible for the high incidence of colorectal cancer in industrialized countries. Diets rich in red and processed meat, refined starches, sugar, and saturated and trans-fatty acids but poor in fruits, vegetables, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and whole grains are closely associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Other main features of the western lifestyle, such as excess body mass and sedentary behaviours, are also strongly associated with higher risk of developing this cancer. Modifications of the western diet, notably increasing consumption of foods from plant origin and reducing that of red meat intake, and maintenance of physical activity and appropriate body mass could substantially reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a grant from NSERC and by the Research Chair in Cancer Treatment and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Médecine Moléculaire, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3P8

    Denis Gingras & Richard Béliveau

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, CHUM, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Richard Béliveau

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  1. Denis Gingras
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  2. Richard Béliveau
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Correspondence to Richard Béliveau.

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Gingras, D., Béliveau, R. Colorectal Cancer Prevention Through Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications. Cancer Microenvironment 4, 133–139 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12307-010-0060-5

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