A high fiber diet does not lower a person's risk of developing colon cancer.

An analysis of 13 previous studies that included 725,000 men and women concluded that more fiber in the diet made no difference for colon cancer risk, according to a Reuters Health report.

Eating lots of fiber did cut the risk of rectal cancer slightly, and a fiber-rich diet is known to ward off heart disease and diabetes.

A diet heavy in red meat and alcohol is known to increase colon cancer risk.