Food plays a key role in prevention of colorectal cancer. But what is less known is that it is also involved in the survival of sick patients. This is in any case the conclusion of a new study presented during the annual conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which was held from May 30 to June 3, in Chicago.
Eating pro-inflammatory increases the risk of death by 87 %
This work was carried out on 1,625 61 -year -old patients, on average, with colon cancer who affected their lymph nodes (stage III). They were classified according to their eating habits. In total, 9 groups consumed pro-inflammatory foods and 9 other groups ate anti-inflammatory foods.
- Among pro-inflammatory foods were red or transformed meats, refined cereals including white bread and sugary drinks;
- Supporters of an anti-inflammatory diet consumed tea, coffee, yellow vegetables (such as carrots, peppers, sweet potatoes …) and leafy green vegetables.
Result: patients consuming the most inflammatory foods had an 87 % higher risk of dying than those with an anti-inflammatory diet.
A shorter overall survival also
The results confirm what other research has already highlighted: chronic inflammation plays a central role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. And this inflammation can be directly linked to what we put on our plates.
Moreover, the overall survival of the patients concerned was also shorter.
“”This study provides additional evidence that food can be important to improve results and survival in patients with stadium III colon “cancer” explains Dr. Kimmie NG, co-author of this work. According to him, “Other studies are necessary to adapt the specific diet recommendations to patients with colon cancer “.
What are the foods to favor and those to avoid?
“”One of the most common questions that patients ask is what they should do after treatment to reduce their risk of recurrence of cancer as much as possible and improve survival “ For his part, Dr. Sara Char, the first author of the study and clinician in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Among the most pro-inflammatory foods, researchers do not recommend white bread, fries, refined cereals, cold meats and transformed meats (such as ham, bacon, sausages …), alcohol and sugary drinks.
On the other hand, some products prove to be protective. Pizza, for example, is an anti-inflammatory food thanks to the presence of cooked tomatoes, rich in lycopene. But not only. Scientists also recommend consuming regular vegetables rich in antioxidants such as carrots and sweet potatoes, whole cereals, nuts and foods rich in omega-3.
But beware, “There is no miracle food that will cure people with chronic inflammation. You must have a lifestyle and an anti-inflammatory diet “ Indicates Dr. Edwin McDonald, gastroenterologist at Uchicago Medicine.
Towards new nutritional recommendations for patients?
In short, this study strengthens the idea that the diet can be a full -fledged therapeutic tool. Another analysis presented to ASCO indicates that patients with colon cancer following an anti-inflammatory diet had a reduced risk of 38 % recurrence or propagation of the disease.
“”We must essentially prescribe a healthy diet and physical exercise. The combination of the two is synergistic“Estens Dr. Julie Gralow, president of ASCO.
This link is not new either. As of 2018, a Harvard study revealed a 22 % higher risk of colorectal cancer in men with inflammatory food.
Today, Dr. Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research Uk, concludes on the importance of eating well. “”This study is added to interesting emerging evidence on the role of inflammation in the progression of colon cancer. (…) With regard to food and the risk of cancer, our global diet is much more important than any food or ingredient. ”
Recall that in 2023, the National Cancer Institute brought in 47,582 new cases of the disease in France. And that unfortunately, it affects more and more young people, under 50 years of age.