Coffee Consumption and Improved Colorectal Cancer Survivorship: From Observational to Interventional Studies

April 9, 2026

Observational findings from several independent cohorts have consistently shown a beneficial association of coffee consumption after diagnosis with better survival outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer. In support of these data, coffee has been linked to lower risk of metabolic disorders, lower inflammation, and favorable blood biochemical profiles. While the components in coffee that drive these benefits remain unknown, studies of metabolomics and microbiome have identified potential molecules and mechanisms of action underlying coffee's beneficial effects. These data altogether have motivated the conduct of the first randomized control trial of coffee consumption among colorectal cancer survivors (the COMMENCER trial). In this presentation, Dr. Song will review the existing data, present the COMMENCER trial, and discuss the future directions.

Target Audience

 
This activity is intended to meet the educational needs of the healthcare team including but not limited to:
 
  • Physicians
  • Residents
  • Medical Students
  • Pharmacists
  • Physician assistants
  • Nurses
  • Other Healthcare Professionals

Learning Objectives

 
After participating in this activity, learners will be:
 
  • Aware of preliminary findings and lessons learned from a randomized trial in colon cancer survivors (COMMENCER), along with opportunities for integrating specific food/beverages and overall nutrition principles into oncology care.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 Completion
Course opens: 
04/09/2026
Course expires: 
04/09/2029
Event starts: 
04/09/2026 - 2:00pm EDT
Event ends: 
04/09/2026 - 3:00pm EDT
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Introduction and background context on colon cancer, dietary/beverage consumption patterns, and biological underpinning of research in this field

Presentation of observational findings from several independent cohorts showing association of coffee consumption after diagnosis with better survival outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer.

Presentation of evidence on association between coffee and lower risk of metabolic disorders, lower inflammation, and favorable blood biochemical profiles.

Discussion of possible mechanisms: unknown, but studies of metabolomics and microbiome have identified potential molecules and mechanisms of action underlying coffee's beneficial effects.

Presentation of the COMMENCER trial - first randomized control trial of coffee consumption among colorectal cancer survivors

Review of existing data and discussion of future directions

Q&A and discussion with audience

Faculty & Disclosure
 
Planning Committee
Kimberly Robien, PhD, MS 
Associate Research Professor               
Milken Institute of Public Health 
 
Meeting Faculty
Mingyang Song, PhD, MBBS, ScD 
 
Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships
In accordance with The Standards for Integrity and Independence, GW requires all planners, faculty, and others in control of educational content to disclose the absence or existence of all financial relationships (of any dollar amount) with any ineligible companies within the past 24 months. We define ineligible companies as those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
 
GW reviews all disclosure statements to determine which financial relationships are relevant to the educational content of the CE Activity.  An individual is considered to have a relevant financial relationship if the educational content an individual can control is related to the business lines or products of the ineligible company.
 
Disclosure Statement(s)
 
Absence of Relevant Financial Relationships
None of the planners, faculty, or others in a position to control content for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
 
Disclaimer
The information in this educational activity is provided for general medical education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The viewpoints expressed in this CME activity are those of the authors/faculty. They do not represent an endorsement by The George Washington University.
 

 

 

 

 
Accreditation Statements
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
Credit Designation Statement(s)
Physicians (CME)
 
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 
American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) recognizes AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ earned as AOA Category 2 credit. 
 
It is the physician's responsibility to report CME credits earned directly to AOA.
 
Ways to report CME Credit:
 
Other Healthcare Professionals (Attendance)
All other healthcare professionals who successfully complete the activity will receive a Certificate of Attendance.  Many credentialing bodies such as the ANCC, AANP, and AAPA accept certificates of attendance for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME. If you have doubts about whether an activity will qualify for CE, please contact your certifying organization for clarification on credit eligibility.
 

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 Completion
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