Association between adherence to the American Cancer Society Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines and stool frequency among colon cancer survivors: a cohort study

Purpose We sought to determine whether adherence to the American Cancer Society (ACS) Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines was associated with better bowel function among colon cancer survivors. Methods This prospective cohort study included patients surgically treated for stage I–IV colon cancer enrolled in the Lifestyle and Outcomes after Gastrointestinal Cancer (LOGIC) study between February 2017 and May 2021. Participants were assigned an ACS score (0–6 points) at enrollment. Stool frequency (SF) was assessed every 6 months using the EORTC QLQ-CR29. Higher SF is an indication of bowel function impairment. ACS score at enrollment was examined in relation to SF at enrollment and over a 3-year period. Secondarily, we examined associations between the ACS score components (body mass index, dietary factors, and physical activity) and SF. Multivariable models were adjusted for demographic and surgical characteristics. Results A total of 112 people with colon cancer (59% women, mean age 59.5 years) were included. Cross-sectionally, for every point increase in ACS score at enrollment, the odds of having frequent stools at enrollment decreased by 43% (CI 0.42–0.79; p < 0.01). Findings were similar when we examined SF as an ordinal variable and change in SF over a 3-year period. Lower consumption of red/processed meats and consuming a higher number of unique fruits and vegetables were associated with lower SF (better bowel function) at enrollment. Conclusions Colon cancer survivors who more closely followed the ACS nutrition and physical activity guidelines had lower SF, an indication of better bowel function. Implications for Cancer Survivors Our findings highlight the value of interventions that support health behavior modification as part of survivorship care for long-term colon cancer survivors.