JAMA Netw Open

Higher fiber intake may reduce bowel symptoms in colon cancer survivors

November 17, 2025

In a Dutch cohort of 1,751 stage I to IV colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors followed for 5 years, 46.7% reported bowel symptoms at 6 months, declining to 35.7% at 5 years. At 6 months after diagnosis, symptoms were predominantly reported by patients who’d received chemotherapy, whereas symptoms at 2 and 5 years occurred mostly in those who received radiotherapy. Higher fiber intake (per 10 g/day) was associated with reduced odds of moderate to severe diarrhea at 6 months (odds ratio [OR], 0.44) and 2 years (OR, 0.53), though not at 5 years. Of the studied bowel-related symptoms, diarrhea correlated with the lowest health-related quality of life scores.

Clinical takeaway: Consider nutritional counseling to increase fiber as part of survivorship care to help manage chronic bowel symptoms.

Source:

Klaassen-Dekker N, et al. (2025, November 3). JAMA Netw Open. Bowel-Related Symptoms and Dietary Fiber Intake in Colorectal Cancer Survivors. JAMA Netw Open. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41212563/