Diet and Nutrition
Adopting an Anti-Cancer Diet
Diet plays a critical role in cancer treatment and survivorship. Research consistently shows that high-quality, nutrient-dense diets can improve survival rates, reduce recurrence risks, and enhance overall well-being.
- Fiber-Rich Diets – Reduce cancer-related mortality by 14%
- Nuts & Seeds – Improve survival rates by 15% per 28g consumed daily
- Omega-3-Rich Fish – Lowers colorectal cancer recurrence risk by 35%
- Cruciferous Vegetables – Reduce all-cause mortality in breast cancer survivors by 22%
- Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and red meat, as they are linked to increased recurrence and poorer survival outcomes.
Discover the Impacts of Different Foods
Diet Overview
A wide array of dietary factors has been associated with cancer treatment outcomes, highlighting the importance of nutrition in survivorship. High-quality diets rich in fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds consistently correlate with better survival rates across cancer types. Dietary fiber, for example, has been shown to reduce cancer-related mortality by 14% (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.79–0.93) [1], while nuts improve outcomes with a 15% reduction in cancer mortality per 28 grams consumed daily (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76–0.94) [2]. Similarly, fish consumption, particularly of omega-3-rich varieties, has been associated with improved disease-free survival and overall survival, such as a 35% reduction in colorectal cancer recurrence risk (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.48–0.87) [3]. Cruciferous vegetables also demonstrate strong protective effects, reducing all-cause mortality in breast cancer survivors by 22% (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66–0.91) [4]. While evidence for coffee and tea is mixed, high coffee consumption is associated with reduced mortality in colorectal cancer (HR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.28–0.83) [5]. On the other hand, diets high in sugar-sweetened beverages and red or processed meats are associated with poorer outcomes, increasing risks of recurrence and mortality [6, 7].
Specific dietary patterns further illustrate the role of nutrition in cancer care. Plant-based diets, such as vegetarian and Mediterranean diets, are linked to reduced overall and cancer-specific mortality (RR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.81–0.93) [8]. The ketogenic diet has shown promise in glioblastoma treatment, improving progression-free survival when combined with standard therapy (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.50–0.84) [9]. Moderate alcohol consumption may have nuanced effects depending on the cancer type, though heavy drinking consistently correlates with worse outcomes (e.g., HR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.07–3.10 for prostate cancer mortality) [10]. Overall, adopting a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory dietary pattern tailored to individual cancer types and treatment plans is a critical component of cancer survivorship care.
Community Recommendations
Patients and advocates are the most important part of the OPEN community. If you have any recommendations for resources, additional topics, or updated research that could be helpful to other cancer patients, please submit them using the box below. The OPEN team is always looking for opportunities to improve community resources. Our team will review all entries and update this page with the most helpful resources as soon as possible.
- Song, M., et al. “Fiber intake and survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis.” Annals of Oncology (2019).
- Aune, D., et al. “Nut consumption and risk of total cancer mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Annals of Oncology (2016).
- Guinter, M. A., et al. “Marine ω-3 PUFA intake after colon cancer diagnosis.” Cancer Causes & Control (2018).
- Nechuta, S., et al. “Cruciferous vegetable intake and breast cancer survival.” Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (2012).
- Fuchs, C. S., et al. “Coffee intake after colorectal cancer diagnosis and reduced mortality.” JNCI (2017).
- Schwingshackl, L., et al. “Consumption of Sugars and Sugary Beverages in Relation to Cancer Risk.” Annual Review of Nutrition (2018).
- Schwedhelm, C., et al. “Effect of red meat on cancer recurrence among survivors.” Nutrition Reviews (2016).
- Schwingshackl, L., et al. “Adherence to Mediterranean diet and cancer risk.” Cancer Medicine (2017).
- Champ, C. E., et al. “Ketogenic diet in glioblastoma treatment.” Frontiers in Nutrition (2014).
- Downer, M. K., et al. “Alcohol consumption and prostate cancer mortality.” Cancer Epidemiology (2018).
