Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in America, with 49,920 deaths and 106,100 new cases diagnosed each year. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is 1 in 9. Despite these grim statistics, the mortality rate has been decreasing for several decades due to advances in screening technology and the easy removal of polyps on the walls of the colon before they turn cancerous. The best way to prevent colon cancer is to get regular screening tests after 50 and live a healthy lifestyle, experts say. Today, there are over 1 million survivors of colorectal cancer in the U.S.
Before talking about colon cancer prevention, let’s talk a little about what colon cancer is, exactly. Both the colon and rectum are part of the digestive system. The first part of the digestive system, which is the esophagus and stomach, breaks down food to be processed into energy. Next, the broken down food travels to the small intestine/bowel, which is a narrow, 20-foot section that continues breaking down food and absorbing most of the nutrients. The small intestine then sends the remaining material to the five-foot-long colon (which is also referred to as “the large intestine”), where it absorbs salt and water and stores waste. The first part of the colon is the ascending colon, which is attached to the small intestine and the appendix on the right side of the abdomen. The transverse colon runs from the right to the left side of the upper abdomen. The descending colon travels downward on the left side and the sigmoid colon is an S-shaped portion that passes food matter down to the rectum, the final six inches of the digestive system, which will pass food out of the body through the anus. No one is really sure what exactly causes a colon cancer cell to develop in the first place, or why some experience a colon cancer recurrence, but research suggests a variety of lifestyle, hereditary and environmental factors are at play.
It may be impossible to completely prevent Colon cancer, but the American Cancer Society says that catching colon cancer symptoms early through screening tests is the key. Regular colon cancer screening should begin at age 50 for most people, unless they’re in a high risk category. Each year, individuals should get a fecal occult blood test, which is done by submitting a stool sample. A stool DNA test may also be done at that same time, since it also uses a stool sample to gather results. Then, every five years, patients should get a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which involves a long, flexible tube that checks the last few feet of the colon for colon polyps, and a double-contrast barium enema that uses an x-ray and dye to check the upper portion of the colon. A virtual colonoscopy using a CT scan machine should also be done every 5 years. A colonoscopy procedure involves the insertion of a long, flexible tube, light and camera to view the entire colon and should then be done every 10 years, or every 5 years if any irregularities have been found during the other screenings.
Research suggests one of the best ways to prevent colon cancer is to eat right. An Ohio State University study found that rodents who were fed raspberries with their meals developed 80% less tumors than rodents who ate regular food. Blackberries and raspberries contain anthocyanins and polyphenolics, which inhibit blood vessel formation that would normally feed a cancerous cell. Secondly, an 8-year study from UCSD found that vitamin D/sunlight exposure alters the growth of colon cells to prevent malignancy. It’s best to spend 10 minutes in the sun before applying sunscreen, as even SPF-8 lotion can reduce your ability to convert sunlight to Vitamin D by 95%. A University of Maryland lab study shows that the inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) fiber in corn prevents the growth of the colon cancer cell by regulating cell activity. Louisiana State University researchers discovered that curry inhibits cancer cell movement and can even destroy some smaller cancer cells. Lastly, Oregon State University researchers recommend white tea for its anti-oxidant properties. In addition to these foods, individuals should limit red meat, saturated fat, alcohol and tobacco consumption.
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