Colon Cancer Prevention
The American Cancer Society recommends at least five servings of fruit, vegetables,
beans, and whole grains each day. While it has not yet been determined which of these
protect you against colon cancer, research has zeroed in on the following:
Colon cancer prevention - diet
Low fat: Fats boost the production of bile acids, which promote rapid cell growth.
High fiber: Fiber, which is the indigestible part of plant-based foods, moves food
through the bowel quickly, which reduces the contact with carcinogens and bile acids. It
is recommended that you get at least 25 g of dietary fiber per day.
Colon cancer prevention - Supplements
Calcium: Consuming at least 1,000 mg of calcium each day (through diet and not through
supplements) protects the colon by neutralizing bile acids and fatty acids.
Antioxidants: Citrus fruits and dark-green and yellow vegetables are the best sources
of antioxidants.
Colon cancer prevention - Exercise
Exercise: Physical exercise, like fiber, reduces your risk of colon cancer by quickly
moving the passage of waste from your body. In addition, exercise stimulates blood flow to
the colon. A good exercise regime—walking briskly or some other form of exercise for
30 minutes, three times a week.
Colon cancer prevention - NSAIDS
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: (also known as NSAIDs) Studies have shown that
individuals who take an aspirin or ibuprofen regularly for years have a reduced risk of
colon cancer. However, don’t be mislead; there is not enough evidence to justify
taking an aspirin a day strictly for cancer prevention.
Other colon cancer prevention recommendations.
The American Cancer Society recommends that beginning at age 50, both men and women
should follow the schedule for early detection of colorectal cancer. This includes a
yearly fecal occult blood
test, and an annual digital rectal examination. Flexible sigmoidoscopy should be done every
5 years, and a colonoscopy every 5
- 10 years. A barium enema x ray should also be done every 5 - 10 years.
Proper diet and exercise go a long way in preventing colorectal cancer. The American
Cancer Society recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day
and six servings of food from plant sources such as breads, cereals, grain products, rice,
pasta, or beans. Avoiding high-fat, low-fiber foods, such as red meat and processed foods,
is also advised. Achieving and maintaining an ideal body weight by at least 30 minutes of
physical activity every day is recommended.
If polyps are detected during a regular screening examination, they should be removed.
Since some of the polyps may develop into colorectal cancers, removing them can lower a
person's risk and prevent some cancers before they are fully formed.
It may not be possible to control risk factors such as a strong family history of
colorectal cancer. However, by getting information about prevention and early detection,
one can still beat the odds. People with a family history of colorectal cancer should
start screening at a younger age and it should be done more frequently. Certain genetic
tests are now available that can help determine which members of certain families have
inherited a high risk for developing colorectal cancer. |