Talk:Plant-based diet

I have a general question about this sentence from the Cancer section. It is making a broad statement based on a single study from 2017, nearly 9 years ago. Shouldn't more recent studies from the past 2-3 years or so be added, and the section developed (particularly given the development of Immunotherapy over the past few years)? Thank you-Classicfilms (talk) 02:11, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

Vegetarian diets are associated with a lower incidence from total cancer (-8%). A vegan diet seems to reduce risk of incidence from total cancer by 15%. However, there was no improvement in cancer mortality.^[1]

-Classicfilms (talk) 02:12, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

Observational studies take decades. Usually the results don't change quickly. So a study from 2017 is fine. AetherBloom (talk) 19:09, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

Recently the largest ever study of meatless diets and cancer risk was published (pooled data of 1.8 million) . The review found an increased colorectal cancer risk from vegans. Vegan organizations have been quick to claim that the vegan sample size was small .

There are also a lot of other recent reviews from 2025 and 2026 , , , , , (WHO mentioned this last analysis .

There was also recent data from the Adventist Health Study-2 but sadly would not pass MEDRS . I would support an update. Carrot juice (talk) 22:11, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

Regarding the largest study ever published on meatless diets and cancer, there is commentary here: , , , . This study would qualify for it's own Wikipedia article. Carrot juice (talk) 22:18, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

Thank you AetherBloom and Carrot juice. To be transparent, I am not an expert on MEDRS, so I would prefer to just make general comments -or if I share refs, I'm just using them to clarify my argument - they may or may not be MEDRS. While I won't be editing the article directly, I'm happy to provide feedback or discuss drafts.

a. @AetherBloom - fair enough, although a lot has happened since 2017 and so I think the section could use some development.

b. @ Carrot juice- fantastic, this is a great start. I’m happy to give feedback if you want to develop the section.

Just an aside - since this article is on "Plant-based diet(s)"-- the diets explored may be vegan or vegetarian, or may be heavily plant-based with room for some animal products (maybe close to Mediterranean). So sources should take all of that into account.

• • I took a look at the vegan study and think that the response from The Vegan Society is spot on - “As the study’s authors clearly state, the finding that vegans have an apparently increased risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer compared to meat eaters must be interpreted with caution. The vegan sample size was small and because this is a long-term study where most vegan participants were recruited decades ago, diets followed by vegans today may have significantly different nutritional profiles"

• • Thank you for all of the other references, they look great! These seem to focus on the possibility of lowering cancer risk through plant-based nutrition (prior to the development of cancer) and could be used to develop the section.

• • However, there is a whole area of new research that the section is not reflecting at the moment-concerning those who have already been diagnosed with cancer. Beginning c. 2021, 2022, 2023 or thereabouts, I began to see new studies that explore dietary choices that patients are encouraged to follow DURING and AFTER cancer treatment, or specifically those that involve Immunotherapy. The research suggests a higher level of efficacy for Immunotherapy outcomes for some patients who increase their intake of plant-based fiber. Note: Studies are clear that immunotherapy does does not work for all cancers or all patients-so this would also impact the conversation about fiber. ^[2]. Akkermansia (found in cranberries, pomegranates, some nuts and seeds etc) in particular seems to be cited frequently as a key component in the level of success. ^[3].

-Classicfilms (talk) 23:39, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

This article is currently the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 12 January 2026 and 24 April 2026. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Sreis11 (article contribs).

— Assignment last updated by Zzzz6 (talk) 03:07, 21 March 2026 (UTC)