To synthesize current evidence across the full colorectal cancer (CRC) care continuum, from primary prevention through long-term survivorship, and to highlight integrative oncology strategies.
Approach:
Literature Review: A narrative review was conducted, examining dietary and lifestyle interventions, phytochemical and chemopreventive strategies, microbiome-targeted therapies, and mind-body practices in CRC care.
Key Findings:
High-fiber diets, Mediterranean dietary patterns, calcium supplementation, and regular physical activity are associated with CRC risk reduction.
The CHALLENGE trial provides evidence that structured exercise post-chemotherapy reduces disease recurrence and mortality in colon cancer.
Aspirin chemoprevention requires individualized risk-benefit assessment; preliminary data suggest low-dose aspirin may be non-inferior in Lynch syndrome.
Fusobacterium nucleatum promotes CRC through multiple molecular pathways.
Probiotics reduce postoperative complications, and fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise for sensitizing CRC to immunotherapy.
Mindfulness-based interventions, yoga, and acupuncture are endorsed for managing anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain.
Interpretation:
Integrative oncology strategies are not consistently applied in routine CRC care despite the growing evidence base.
Limitations:
Integrative approaches remain inconsistently implemented in clinical practice.
The review did not apply a formal PRISMA process, which may affect the comprehensiveness of the literature search.
Conclusion:
A systematic integration of evidence-based interventions into CRC care is necessary, supported by standardized implementation frameworks and CRC-specific clinical trials.
