A new study finds a diet dominated by fruits and vegetables -- with a moderate amount of fish -- could cut your risk for colorectal cancers by nearly 45 percent.

Dr. Ryan Williams did not take part in the study but is a colorectal surgeon at Cleveland Clinic.

"Any of the vegetables and fruits that are high in fiber are the ones we are looking for to help clear out the colon and help decrease that risk of colon and rectal cancer," Williams said.

Loma Lind University researchers studied the diets of nearly 78,000 people. They found vegans had a 16 percent lower risk for all colorectal cancers compared to non-vegetarians

Vegetarians had 22 percent lower risk, but it was a pesco-vegetarian diet, or one that includes a moderate amount of fish, that offered the most protection.

This Mediterranean-style diet lowered colorectal cancer risk by 43 percent.

"It just goes back to what weve been learning over time is that the Mediterranean diet is a really healthy diet that keeps us from developing things such as colon and rectal cancers, heart disease, and other diseases," Williams said.

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Vegetarian diet may lower colorectal cancer risk