Harvard doctor explores role of diet in colon cancer risk
With the incidence of colorectal cancer rising among younger adults, the American Cancer Society has lowered its recommended age for first screening from 50 to 45. Cancer physician and researcher Kimmie Ng of Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute was senior author of a recent study linking a low-insulin-load diet — fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy protein and fats — to a dramatic drop in colorectal cancer recurrence. Diet and lifestyle are prime suspects in the rising incidence among under-50 adults, Ng said during a conversation on the American Cancer Society guidelines and how her own work seeks to illuminate risk factors in colorectal cancer. Q&A Kimmie Ng GAZETTE: Is the American Cancer Society’s decision a good one? NG: I do think it is a good idea, especially in light of the documented rise in incidence of colorectal cancer in young patients. We don’t have direct clinical evidence yet that this is going to be cost-effective, but...