Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, and growing evidence suggests that when we eat, not just what we eat, can significantly impact cancer risk. This project explores how aligning nutritional intake with the body’s natural circadian rhythms may reduce tumour development and progression. Using mouse models with specific genetic mutations (Apc and Kras), the team will investigate how time-restricted feeding influences cancer-related pathways at the genetic and protein levels. Funding from WE-SPARK will support pilot experiments to refine and strengthen a national grant re-submission focused on circadian-based cancer prevention.

This project aims to uncover how the timing of food intake influences molecular mechanisms driving colorectal cancer. The findings will provide pilot data for a CIHR re-submission and could ultimately guide novel, non-invasive strategies for cancer prevention rooted in circadian nutrition.