How Does Nut Consumption Affect Patients With Colon Cancer?

Results of a new study suggest nut consumption can reduce the risk of colon cancer recurrence by 43% and mortality by 58%.

Although previous research has associated nut intake with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance, little is known about how nut intake affects colon cancer recurrence and mortality.
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To examine this association, the researchers performed a prospective, observational study of 826 patients with stage III colon cancer who were enrolled in a randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial and had responded to a food frequency questionnaire.

Analysis included the time from completion of the food frequency questionnaire following the adjuvant therapy to cancer recurrence, death, or last follow-up.

Patients who had consumed 2 or more servings of nuts per week had a significantly lower risk of recurrence (43%) and mortality (58%) than those who did not consume nuts.

Tree nuts had the most significant association to reduced risk, whereas peanuts or peanut butter had no association.

“Higher consumption of nuts may be associated with significantly reduced cancer recurrence and death in patients with stage III [colon cancer],” the researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Fadelu T, Niedzwiecki D, Zhang S, et al. Nut consumption and survival in stage III colon cancer patients: results form CALGB 89803 (Alliance). Paper presented at: 2017 ASCO Annual Meeting; June 2-6, 2017; Chicago, IL. http://abstracts.asco.org/199/AbstView_199_189653.html. Accessed May 19, 2017.