(Roxanne Nelson, BSN, RN/Medscape) — Eating whole grains daily and ramping up activity levels can reduce the risk for colorectal/colon cancer, according to a new report from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

On the flipside, consuming red meat and processed meat increases the risk, as does drinking two or more alcoholic beverages per day.

The evidence was considered to be “strong” for all of these factors, in either enhancing or decreasing risk.

This is first time that research from AICR/WCRF has linked whole grains independently to lowering the risk for cancer.

“Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers, yet this report demonstrates there is a lot people can do to dramatically lower their risk,” said Edward L. Giovannucci, MD, ScD, lead author of the report and professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, in a statement.

“The findings from this comprehensive report are robust and clear: Diet and lifestyle have a major role in colorectal cancer.” (…)