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Fiber intake reduces mortality in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer

AWritten by Alysha MendossaMedically ReviewedUpdated May 7, 20205 min read
Fiber intake reduces mortality in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer
In this article
  1. Study on Fiber Intake and Colorectal Cancer Survival
  2. Research Methodology and Patient Cohort
  3. Mortality Risk Reduction by Fiber Source
  4. How CancerFax Helps

Study on Fiber Intake and Colorectal Cancer Survival

Mingyang Song of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital reported that after diagnosis of non-metastatic colorectal cancer, ingesting more fiber will reduce the specific mortality and overall mortality of colorectal cancer. Increasing fiber intake after diagnosis can benefit patients with colorectal cancer. (JAMA Oncol. Online version on November 2, 2017).

Although it has been shown that high dietary fiber intake reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, it is not clear whether high fiber intake will benefit colorectal cancer survivors.

Research Methodology and Patient Cohort

To assess the relationship between fiber intake and mortality, the study included 1575 patients with stage I to III colorectal cancer from two prospective cohorts; after adjusting for other potential cancer survival predictors, the colorectal cancer specificity was determined Mortality and total mortality.

Between 6 months and 4 years after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer, the researchers used a validated questionnaire on the frequency of eating to assess the total fiber intake, the amount of fiber from different sources and the amount of whole wheat.

Mortality Risk Reduction by Fiber Source

Among the 1575 participants, 963 (61.1%) were women; the average age was 68.6 years. With a median follow-up of 8 years, 773 patients died, of which 174 died from colorectal cancer. A high total fiber intake after diagnosis is associated with a lower mortality rate. For every 5g increase in daily intake, the multivariable HR for colorectal cancer specific mortality and all-cause mortality were 0.78 (95% CI 0.65 ~ 0.93; P = 0.006) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.79 ~ 0.93) P <0 .001).

According to fiber sources, cereal fiber can reduce colorectal cancer-specific mortality (for every 5 g / d increase in intake, HR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.50 ~ 0.90; P = 0.007) and all-cause mortality (HR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.68 ~ 0.90; P <0.001); vegetable fiber can reduce all-cause mortality (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.72 ~ 0.96; P = 0.009), but it does not reduce colorectal cancer-specific mortality (HR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.60 ~ 1.13; P = 0.22); No correlation was found between fruit fiber and mortality. Ingestion of whole wheat food can reduce the specific mortality of colorectal cancer (for every 20 g / d increase in intake, HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.59 ~ 0.88; P = 0.002), but the correlation It will weaken after entry (HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.62 ~ 0.96; P = 0.02).

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About Alysha Mendossa

✓ Reviewed for medical accuracy by the CancerFax review panel.

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This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified oncology specialist. Every patient's case is different. Treatment decisions should always be made after a review of complete medical records by the treating medical team.

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