Health at Steak: Dairy and meat consumption and the risk of cancer recurrence and mortality in subgroups of individuals with colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a common disease, and diet plays an important role in its onset. However, the potential impact of diet after diagnosis is less clear. This thesis investigated whether dairy and meat intake are associated with cancer recurrence and survival in individuals with non-metastatic colorectal cancer, and whether associations differ between subgroups. A higher pre-diagnostic intake of low-fat dairy was associated with a lower risk of recurrence and mortality, while high-fat dairy was associated with an increased risk of recurrence and mortality. Associations varied by sex and tumour location, and may differ by tumour molecular characteristics, suggesting benefits of personalised dietary advice. Processed meat and unprocessed red meat intake were not associated with the risk of recurrence or mortality. Unprocessed poultry intake was linked to improved survival. Overall, the findings in this thesis highlight that dairy and meat intake seem associated with colorectal cancer prognosis and support the need for tailored nutritional guidelines for individuals with colorectal cancer.