Prevention of Colon Polyps and Cancer
The
colon is the large intestine. It begins where the small intestine ends, near the
appendix inside the right lower abdomen. The colon extends in a wide loop, up
the right side of the abdomen to the liver, and across to the left side of the
abdomen where it turns down connecting finally to the rectum.
Polyps and Cancer
Polyps are growths that form on the inside lining of the colon. They are usually
shaped like mushrooms or dome-like buttons, and vary in size from a tiny pea to
larger than a plum. While colon polyps start out as benign tumors, certain types
of polyps (called an adenoma or adenomatous polyp) may turn into cancer. The
risk is greater as the polyp gets larger. Adenomatous polyps can be removed
before they become cancerous with a procedure called colonoscopy. Under light
sedation, a lighted flexible tube is inserted into the colon, allowing the
physician to see the inside of the colon and remove polyps.
Causes and Risks
The complete cause of polyp formation and colon cancer is unknown, but it is
known that heredity plays a key role. Certain genes seem to prevent colon cancer
from developing. Some people may lose these protective genes. A person whose
parents, brothers or sisters have colon cancer or polyps is at significantly
greater risk of developing it. There is also risk, but to a lesser degree, if
uncles, aunts or grandparents have had the disease. Therefore, people with a
family history of polyps and colon cancer should be evaluated by their physician
and examined regularly.
Prevention
Diet--It only makes sense that a disease that originates in the gut
should somehow be related to diet. While genetic factors are probably the most
important, let's look at the effects of diet.
Vegetables and fruits
The red, yellow, orange and green colored fruits and vegetables such as
peppers, oranges, strawberries, and carrots are particularly rich in a complex
mixture of substances called antioxidants. The cruciferous vegetables
(cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli) have very high levels of natural cancer
fighting chemicals. Brussels sprouts and broccoli are exceeding high in these.
There is increasing medical data that people who eat these foods plus generous
amounts of unprocessed grains have less colon cancer. There is no medical
evidence that taking antioxidant supplements such as vitamin C and E and
betacarotene is helpful.
Folic Acid
Data was published in 1999 which studied a large group of nurses over a 14
year period. Folic acid or folate seemed to be very protective for these
females especially those who received over 400 micrograms a day from food
and/or a multivitamin. It may also be of benefit in colon cancer prevention.
Meats and saturated fats
Meat contains saturated fat as do many prepared products such as ice cream and
especially non-animal foods such as pastries, sauces, etc. Always read the
food labels to see how much saturated fat a food contains. These fats are
broken down by the body's digestive juices and bile. Some of these byproducts
are known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. There is some evidence that
meat rich diets may increase the risk of breast cancer and possibly colon
cancer. The risk may depend on how the meat is prepared. Nevertheless, a
reduced meat and saturated fat diet probably contributes to colon health to
some extent.
Fiber
Studies in the 1960's and 1970's seemed to relate a fiber rich diet with
reduced colon cancer in rural Africans. However, the hope that it could reduce
colon cancer risk has been called into question by a large study of nurses who
had little or no change in developing colon cancer or polyps even when eating
up to 25 grams of fiber a day. This is just one study and the positive health
benefits of high fiber foods are many, so these foods are still highly
recommended.
Calcium
Calcium is one of the most common minerals in the body. It is necessary for
bone strength and for many of the body's important chemical processes. For
example, it is needed in regulating the growth of cells. Animal studies have
found that a lack of calcium leads to excessive cell growth in the colon. It
is not clear if calcium has a cancer preventive benefit for humans. Still,
since it is important to the body in so many other ways, everyone should get
enough calcium in their diet. All adults should have 1000 mg per day. After
menopause, females have a greater risk of osteoporosis (loss of calcium
causing bones to weaken), and they should have 1500 mg of calcium a day.
A quart of milk a day provides adequate calcium. Most people do not drink a
quart of milk everyday, but there are other sources of calcium. Dairy products
(such as cheeses and yogurt), shellfish, seafood and many leafy green
vegetables contain calcium. The calcium in leafy vegetables is not as
available for use by the body as calcium in milk. Some people on low calorie
or special diets may not be able to get enough calcium in their diets. In
these cases, the physician can recommend a calcium supplement. Calcium
carbonate is the best and least expensive.
Aspirin--Some, but not all, medical studies show that the incidence of
cancer of the colon may be less in those people who take aspirin regularly. It
is known that prostaglandin (a hormone-like substance produced by the body) may
promote excessive or abnormal cell growth in the intestine. Aspirin appears to
interfere with prostaglandin which may account for a possible role in preventing
colon cancer.
Aspirin can cause stomach ulcers, serious bleeding or hemorrhagic strokes, so
it should only be taken with the approval of a physician.
Other Factors--The large nurse's study, mentioned before, has shown
other factors that appear to be related to colon cancer.
- Cigarette Smoking - long-term smokers had more colon cancer than
non-smokers
- Leisure Time Activities - those nurses who were more active in
their daily lives had fewer cancers
- Estrogen - those nurses who continued to use estrogen hormones had
fewer cancers. However, it is not recommended that you take estrogen just
for this possible reason
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