Associations of the dietary World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommendations with patient-reported outcomes in colorectal cancer survivors 2–10 years post-diagnosis: A cross-sectional analysis

M.L. Kenkhuis*, B.W.A. van der Linden, J.J.L. Breedveld-Peters, J.L. Koole, E.H. van Roekel, S.O. Breukink, F. Mols, M.P. Weijenberg, M.J.L. Bours

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

The World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) advise cancer survivors to follow their lifestyle recommendations for cancer prevention. Adhering to these recommendations may have beneficial effects on patient-reported outcomes after a cancer diagnosis, but evidence is scarce. We aimed to assess associations of the individual dietary WCRF/AICR recommendations regarding fruit and vegetables, fibre, fast foods, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened drinks and alcohol consumption with patient-reported outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. Cross-sectional data of 150 stage I–III CRC survivors, 2–10 years post-diagnosis, were used. Dietary intake was measured by 7-d dietary records. Validated questionnaires were used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL), fatigue and neuropathy. Confounder-adjusted linear regression models were used to analyse associations of each WCRF/AICR dietary recommendation with patient-reported outcomes. Higher vegetable intake (per 50 g) was associated with better global QoL (β 2·6; 95 % CI 0·6, 4·7), better physical functioning (3·3; 1·2, 5·5) and lower levels of fatigue (−4·5; −7·6, −1·4). Higher fruit and vegetables intake (per 100 g) was associated with better physical functioning (3·2; 0·8, 5·5) and higher intake of energy-dense food (per 100 kJ/100 g) with worse physical functioning (−4·2; −7·1, −1·2). No associations of dietary recommendations with neuropathy were found. These findings suggest that adhering to specific dietary WCRF/AICR recommendations is associated with better HRQoL and less fatigue in CRC survivors. Although the recommendations regarding healthy dietary habits may be beneficial for the well-being of CRC survivors, longitudinal research is warranted to gain insight into the direction of associations.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1188-1200
JournalBritish Journal of Nutrition
Volume125
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 May 2021

Keywords

  • BODY-MASS INDEX
  • CHEMOTHERAPY
  • COLON-CANCER
  • Colorectal cancer survivorship
  • Diet
  • Fatigue
  • HEALTH
  • Health-related quality of life
  • INDUCED PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
  • Lifestyle recommendations
  • MEDITERRANEAN DIET
  • Neuropathy
  • PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • STYLE FACTORS
  • VEGETABLE INTAKE

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