Researchers conducted a study examining 2012 American Cancer Society Nutrition and Physical Activity guidelines' impact on colon cancer patients, according to American Journal of Managed Care. Researchers will present the study at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting on June 2 through June 6 in Chicago.
Researchers conducted a seven-year median follow-up of 992 stage III colon cancer patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy between 1991 and 2001. The researchers assessed lifestyle and assigned a McCullough score for adherence to the guidelines.
Here's what you should know.
1. During the follow-up period, researchers documented 355 recurrences and 299 deaths.
2. Approximately 9 percent of patients with a score of five to six points had a 42 percent lower risk of death compared to the 26 percent who scored zero or one point.
3. The higher scoring patients had higher disease-free survival scores.
Researchers concluded patients who kept a health body weight, had a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grain diet and drank small-to-moderate amounts of alcohol had longer disease-free and overall survival rates than those who did not.