Food Environment and Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates

Food environments are associated with diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular health, but associations to colorectal cancer incidence and mortality have not been reported. We analyzed associations between Food Environment Index (FEI) and national adjusted colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates. Better FEI scores (i.e., environments with less food insecurity and better access to healthy food) were associated with lower colorectal cancer incidence (p < .004) and mortality (p < .0001). Stronger associations were observed in areas with higher percent Black populations. Results suggest that food environments may contribute to colorectal cancer risk, and point to areas for further research on prevention and cancer survivorship.