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Arif Kamal: Nearly 40% of colon cancers are attributable to sub-optimal diet

Arif Kamal/LinkedIn

Jan 14, 2025, 16:37

Arif Kamal: Nearly 40% of colon cancers are attributable to sub-optimal diet

Arif Kamal shared on LinkedIn:

“The burden of colon cancer is rising at an alarming rate, particularly in persons under 50.

While there may be many reasons for this, one is very clear: poor diet.

Some pivotal research from colleagues at The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and Tufts Food and Nutrition Innovation Institute who co-sponsored the Food is Medicine in Oncology Symposium with the American Cancer Society uncovered a surprising fact:

Nearly 40% of colon cancers are attributable to sub-optimal diet, particularly low intake of whole grains, alongside high intake of processed meats.

In making the case for Food is Medicine interventions to prevent cancer, a picture is worth a thousand words. I encourage you to review and share this Figure from FF Zhang et al. in JNCI Cancer Spectrum 2019.”

Arif Kamal: Nearly 40% of colon cancers are attributable to sub-optimal diet

Michael Sapienza, CEO of Colorectal Cancer Alliance, reposted this post, adding his own thoughts:

“Thank you Arif Kamal MD, MBA and the American Cancer Society for this data. I do not like it, and we at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance look forward to partnering with you and many others to end this disease through research, education, and screening. Colorectal Cancer is the Preventable Data.”

Arif Kamal is the first-ever Chief Patient Officer for the American Cancer Society and drives efforts to advance cancer care. With experience at Duke University and the Duke Cancer Institute, he is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Population Health. He is also a Co-Founder of Prepped Health, a Fellow of American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) and an Advisor at Acclivity Health Solutions. Dr. Kamal’s expertise lies in oncology quality assessment, palliative care, and innovative technology solutions for patient engagement.