Diet Linked to Colon Cancer Survival

A new study reconfirms the link between colon cancer and a diet rich in red meat, fat and sugar—this time focusing on the survival rate of those who've already been treated for colon cancer. Those who ate what researchers dubbed the "Western" diet were three times as likely to die or suffer a recurrence than those on a “prudent”  diet—high in fruits, vegetables, poultry, and fish.

The study interviewed patients who had been treated with surgery and chemotherapy about their dietary habits and then followed their progress for 5 years. “Doctors who treat colon cancer patients need to have the conversation about diet,” one of the researchers tells WebMD. (More colon cancer stories.)