Consuming higher amounts of fiber after being diagnosed with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) is linked with lower CRC-related and overall mortality, according to a study involving nearly 1,600 individuals. Participants were from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, an average of ~69 years of age, and had stage I to III CRC. Investigators looked at food intake via food frequency questionnaires and assessed its impact on CRC-related and overall mortality. Among the results:

• There were 773 deaths, 174 from CRC, during a median 8 years of follow-up.
• Overall, CRC-specific mortality was reduced by 22% for each 5-g increased increment in fiber intake/day.
• Overall mortality was lowered by 14%.
• In patients who increased their fiber intake after diagnosis, CRC-specific mortality was reduced by 18% for each 5-g/day increase in intake.
• Overall mortality in these patients was reduced by 14%.
• Cereal fiber reduced both CRC-specific and overall mortality.
• Vegetable fiber reduced overall mortality.
• Whole grain reduced CRC-specific mortality.
• No link was seen with fruit fiber.