Diet and Colon Cancer
By Diseiye Iyebote, MD
In today's digital world, there is an overwhelming number of articles and blog posts touting the latest and greatest diet, colon cancer treatment, and weight-loss tips. This can make it difficult to discern good advice and what is simply bad. So, when it comes to colon cancer, what should you be eating, or how do you get it fixed?
Many factors contribute to developing colon cancer, including diet. A diet high in red and processed meats, for example, can increase your risk of colon cancer. In contrast, a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of developing the disease.
This isn't to say that you have to become a vegetarian to reduce your risk of colon cancer; any increase in fruit and vegetable intake is beneficial. However, if you are looking to make some specific dietary changes, here are a few tips:
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Reduce your intake of red and processed meats
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Eat more fruits and vegetables
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Consider taking a fiber supplement
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Drink plenty of water
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Avoid processed foods
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Eat whole grains instead of refined grains
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Limit your intake of sugary drinks
Causes of Colon Cancer
If you're experiencing unusual changes in bowel movements, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and weight loss for no particular reason, it's time for a checkup or maybe schedule a consultation with American Medical Care. Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States. Colorectal cancer includes both cancers of the colon and rectum.
I. Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
This category of diseases includes Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and regional ileitis. These diseases cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. The inflammation may lead to the development of colon cancer. Also, people with these diseases are more likely to get colon cancer than people who don't have them.
II. Family History
People who have a family history of colon cancer are more likely to get the disease themselves. This is because there may be a genetic link between certain genes and the development of colon cancer. Meanwhile, people with a family history of other types of cancer are also at risk of getting colon cancer.
III. Age
The older you get, the more likely you will get colon cancer. This is because as you age, your risk of getting other diseases that can lead to colon cancer increases. For example, the risk of getting Crohn's disease increases with age. Making regular screening extremely important.
IV. Diet
What you eat can play a role in whether you get colon cancer. A diet high in red and processed meats may increase your risk of getting the disease. Meanwhile, a diet high in fruits and vegetables may decrease your risk.
V. Smoking
Smoking is a risk factor for many types of cancer, and colon cancer is no exception. People who smoke are more likely to get the disease than people who do not smoke. This is because smoking can damage the cells in your body and make them more likely to become cancerous.
VI. Obesity
Obesity is a risk factor for many diseases, including colon cancer. People who are obese are more likely to get the disease than people who are not obese. This is because obesity may increase the risk of inflammation in the body, leading to the development of colon cancer.
VII. Alcohol Consumption
Heavy alcohol consumption is a risk factor for colon cancer. People who drink a lot of alcohol are more likely to get the disease than people who don't drink alcohol. This is because alcohol can damage the cells in your body and make them more likely to become cancerous.
VIII. Physical Inactivity
Physically inactive people are more likely to get colon cancer than active people. This is because physical activity can help reduce the risk of inflammation in the body, which can lead to the development of colon cancer. Also, being physically active can help to reduce the risk of other diseases that can lead to colon cancer.
Management of Colon Cancer
There are some effective ways of managing Colon cancer. Some methods are more effective than others, but they all have the common goal of ridding the body of cancerous cells. Here are five of the most effective methods.
1. Surgery
This is the most common method for treating Colon cancer. The surgeon will remove the tumor and any surrounding cancerous tissue. American Medical Care is a network of physicians and surgeons providing surgical and oncologic care for the management of colon cancer through comprehensive value-based concierge care.
2. Chemotherapy
This therapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given intravenously or orally. If you are interested in this type of therapy, you should consult with our cancer specialist to get a glimpse and what chemotherapy might entail for you.
3. Radiation Therapy
Of course, you might be wondering what radiation therapy is. It is a treatment that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. This type of therapy is often used in combination with chemotherapy or surgery. In fact, radiation therapy is often the only treatment that can help people with advanced Colon cancer.
How Can Colon Cancer Be Prevented?
There are many ways that colon cancer can be prevented. Some of the most important methods are getting regular screenings, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
Conclusion
Did you know that what you eat could play a role in your risk of developing colon cancer? While there is no one “magic bullet” that can prevent colon cancer, making healthy dietary choices is one important step you can take to reduce your risk.
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