I get nervous seeing the headlines about the rise in colorectal cancer cases. Those traditional risk factors are still important, but they are not what’s driving the conversation today. All five of the habits listed below are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer among younger people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. On the flip side, the nutrient in our diet that protects against colorectal cancer that’s notoriously low in ultra-processed foods? For every 10 grams of fiber you eat per day — about the amount in a cup of beans — there’s a 10 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 13, 2026 18:32 UTC