Hybrid patterns and bowel cancer risk

Our Bowel Care Nutritionist, Joanne, provides a summary of The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) fourth expert report via the Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP).

CUP Global analyses research on the links between modifiable diet and lifestyle factors and cancer development to create the world’s largest source of scientific research on cancer prevention and survivorship.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and we know diet and lifestyle behaviours influence bowel cancer risk.

In the report, data was analysed from 86 bowel cancer studies, assessing dietary and lifestyle patterns associated with bowel cancer development, including diet, nutritional status, physical activity and body weight, to create a comprehensive list of recommendations for cancer prevention.

While many of the recommendations are familiar and advice we often discuss with people, what’s particularly interesting about this report is how it highlights ‘hybrid patterns’ of dietary and lifestyle behaviour that are linked to the onset of multiple linked diseases, including bowel cancer.

Our specialist telehealth support team often talk to people living with bowel cancer who are also managing other chronic conditions such as obesity and hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels).

This latest report clearly demonstrates the correlation in behaviours that can lead to these conditions, identifying clear guidelines and steps that people can take to actively improve their health and lower their risk through diet and lifestyle.

Findings from report

The findings from this new report highlight key recommendations to support health and lower risk of inflammation, hyperinsulinemia and bowel cancer. These include:

These report findings are exciting because they so clearly outline the manageable steps people can take to improve their health and reduce disease risk factors.

The strong associations identified between certain diet and lifestyle patterns and increased bowel cancer and comorbidity risk highlight the value of avoiding foods and behaviours with insulin- and inflammation-raising potential to improve overall health.

Take dietary intake of sugar as an example – sugar is a natural, non-carcinogenic food. However, the over-consumption of sugar and added sugars in processed foods and beverages can lead to obesity. Increased body mass index (BMI) in obesity increases inflammation in the body the risk of hyperinsulinemia.

High concentrations of chronic insulin secretion play an important role in the development of bowel cancer, as does increased chronic inflammation. Therefore, hyperinsulinemia and systemic inflammation are biologically interrelated pathways which increase the risk of bowel cancer.

A point worth noting in the report which raised some eyebrows was the link between alcohol consumption as a factor for reduced risk of bowel cancer. It is important to emphasise this in the context of the diet and lifestyle pattern of behaviours of the mediterranean diet, drinking typically wine only with meals in small quantities.

The report findings provide practical recommendations that are easy to follow and put in practice. After all, in our day-to-day life we choose foods to eat, not specific nutrients!

Final takeaway

A healthy dietary and lifestyle pattern to reduce your risk of bowel cancer includes:

• Maintaining a healthy weight and habitually taking part in physical activity

• Prioritising consumption of fruit and vegetables, as well as fibre-containing foods

• Including the consumption of coffee and calcium containing foods

• Limiting consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and alcohol

• Avoiding processed meat

• Not smoking

Article authored by our Bowel Care Clinical Nutritionist, Jo.