# Study Finds Vegans Have Higher Colon Cancer Risk

**Published:** 2026-05-30T06:00:00.000Z  
**Topic:** Oil  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/6901a67b-991f-46e2-8bfd-8e4a7ddbd141

A new study of 1.8 million people suggests vegans face a higher risk of colon cancer, while vegetarians see lower risks for other types.

A comprehensive study analyzing data from over 1.8 million people suggests that while vegetarian diets may lower the risk of several cancers, vegans face a roughly 40% increased risk of developing colon cancer compared to meat-eaters [1]. Published in the *British Journal of Cancer*, the research tracked participants for an average of 16 years across the US, UK, India, and Taiwan to examine the links between dietary patterns and 17 different cancer types [1].

**Key takeaways**
*   Vegans in the study had a roughly 40% higher risk of colon cancer, potentially linked to lower calcium intake [1].
*   Vegetarians showed a lower risk of five cancers, including breast and prostate cancer, compared to meat-eaters [1].
*   Vegetarians had nearly double the risk of esophageal cancer, possibly due to low riboflavin levels [1].
*   The study is observational and relies on older data, which may not reflect modern fortified diets [1].

## Potential nutrient gaps drive specific cancer risks

The study found that vegetarians had a significantly lower risk of developing five specific cancers: multiple myeloma (31% lower), kidney cancer (28% lower), pancreatic cancer (21% lower), prostate cancer (12% lower), and breast cancer (9% lower) [1]. However, the data also revealed potential downsides to excluding animal products. Vegans in the study exhibited a roughly 40% increased risk of colon cancer, a finding researchers attributed to potential calcium deficiencies [1]. Calcium helps bind to free fatty acids in the gut, and investigators noted that average calcium intake was quite low among the vegan participants [1]. Additionally, vegetarians faced almost double the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus compared to meat-eaters, which investigators suggested might be related to insufficient riboflavin intake [1].

## Data limitations and modern diet changes

Experts caution that the study's findings are observational and do not prove that specific diets directly cause changes in cancer risk [1]. Furthermore, the data may not reflect current nutritional realities, as participants were recruited at least 10 years ago, with some cohorts dating back to the 1980s [1]. Nutrition scientist Nerys Astbury noted that while past vegetarian diets were often based on whole foods like vegetables and pulses, modern versions frequently include highly processed meat and dairy alternatives [1]. Epidemiologist Tim Key added that recent data indicates calcium intake differences between vegans

## Sources
1. Business Insider — [A new study suggests vegans have a lower risk of many cancers — but not colon cancer](https://www.businessinsider.com/vegan-diets-increased-colon-cancer-risk-study-2026-2)
2. AOL — [A new study suggests vegans have a lower risk of many cancers — but not colon cancer](https://www.aol.com/articles/study-suggests-vegans-higher-risk-010101975.html)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Study Finds Vegans Have Higher Colon Cancer Risk", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/6901a67b-991f-46e2-8bfd-8e4a7ddbd141