Living with and beyond bowel cancer
Find out how diet and lifestyle can support your health and wellbeing if you have or have had bowel cancer.
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Living well after a bowel cancer diagnosis
Being diagnosed with bowel cancer and going through treatment can be a challenging time physically, mentally and emotionally.
There’s growing evidence that the choices you make after a cancer diagnosis can support your recovery, improve your quality of life and potentially reduce the risk of your cancer coming back (recurrence).
Our evidence review looked at how diet, nutrition, physical activity and body weight affect people with bowel cancer. From this, we’ve highlighted key lifestyle and dietary factors that may help support your health.
Lifestyle and living with bowel cancer
Follow our Cancer Prevention Recommendations
If you are living with or beyond bowel cancer, it’s helpful to follow our Cancer Prevention Recommendations if you can, as they may also support your health after diagnosis.
We also suggest not smoking. Smoking can make symptoms and side effects from treatment feel worse. It can slow down how quickly your body heals after treatment and make it more likely that your cancer comes back or that a new cancer develops.
Everyone’s situation is different, so it’s important to follow any advice your cancer care team gives you. If you’re worried or unsure about anything, they will be happy to answer your questions.
Be physically active
Research shows that people who are more physically active after a bowel cancer diagnosis may have a lower risk of death and a lower risk of bowel cancer coming back after a bowel cancer diagnosis (bowel cancer recurrence).
Being active is safe for most people living with cancer and can improve your fatigue and mental wellbeing and support your strength and recovery. Start gently and build up gradually, and speak to your cancer care team for advice on what’s right for you.
Diet and living with bowel cancer
Eat more wholegrains
There is some evidence that people who eat more wholegrains after a bowel cancer diagnosis may reduce the risk of death by any cause. That’s why we recommend you include brown and wholegrain varieties of bread, pasta, breakfast cereals and rice in your meals and snacks.
Wholegrain foods include:
- Wholemeal bread, wraps, chapatis and pittas
- Wholewheat pasta and noodles
- Wholegrain breakfast cereals like oats and shredded wheat
- Brown and wild rice
- Barley, quinoa and bulgur wheat
Wholegrains after bowel cancer treatment
Some people find it difficult to eat or digest wholegrain foods after treatment, especially after colon or rectal surgery. If you want to increase or reintroduce wholegrains, it’s best to do this slowly and listen to guidance from your cancer care team on what’s suitable for you, particularly after surgery or radiotherapy.
If you continue to have problems eating wholegrains or any other foods, speak to your cancer care team or a dietitian. They can give you personalised advice to help you eat well during your recovery.
To speak to an oncology specialist dietitian, get on touch with our Cancer and Nutrition Helpline.
Cut down on sugary drinks
There is some evidence that people with bowel cancer who drink fewer sugary drinks may reduce the risk of death by any cause. We suggest reducing how many sugary drinks you have.
Sugary drinks include:
- Colas with added sugar, both regular and caffeine free (e.g. regular cola)
- Other fizzy soft drinks with added sugar (e.g. lemonade, energy drinks with sugar)
- Non fizzy drinks with added sugar, such as some juice drinks (e.g. fruit flavoured juice drinks that aren’t 100% juice)
Drink coffee
Research shows that people with a bowel cancer diagnosis who drink coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated) may reduce the risk of death by any cause. Because of this, you may choose to include coffee as part of your daily routine if you enjoy it.
Things to consider when drinking coffee
Caffeinated coffee can sometimes cause diarrhoea (loose or watery poo) or symptoms like a racing heartbeat (palpitations). It can also affect sleep. If you notice any of these effects, reduce the amount you drink or switch to decaffeinated coffee.
If you have any concerns about caffeine or coffee and your overall health, speak to your cancer care team or a dietitian.
To speak to an oncology specialist dietitian, get in touch with our Cancer and Nutrition Helpline.
Support from us
Get our Eat well during cancer guide
Being diagnosed with bowel cancer and undergoing cancer treatment can cause a range of side effects that affect your appetite and how much you are able to eat.
Our Eat well during cancer guide offers practical tips to help you manage these changes.
What’s inside:
- Answers to common questions about diet during cancer and treatment
- Tips to manage side effects like taste changes, nausea or weight loss
- Recipes designed to ease side effects
- Inspiring stories from others living with cancer
Cancer and Nutrition Helpline
Our oncology specialist dietitians are here to help you with any questions you have about eating well before, during or after cancer treatment. Whether you’ve lost your appetite, are struggling with side effects or just don’t know what to eat, we’re here to support you.
Calls are free from all mobile phones and landlines or simply submit your question online and we’ll get back to you.
Cook Through Cancer classes
Join our free, award-winning online cooking sessions run by a professional chef and oncology specialist dietitian. These sessions are open to anyone affected by cancer including carers, family and friends, and offer support, connection and practical skills in the kitchen.
More bowel cancer information for you
Page reviewed: March 2026
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References
- World Cancer Research Fund International. Diet, nutrition, physical activity and body weight for people living with and beyond colorectal cancer [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.wcrf.org/research-policy/library/colorectal-cancer-survivors-report/
