March
is designated for colon cancer awareness. You may be surprised
to know that colon cancer strikes both men and women, and if caught
early, it has a very high cure rate. Early detection is
the key.
March
is designated for colon cancer awareness. You may be surprised
to know that colon cancer strikes both men and women, and if caught
early, it has a very high cure rate. Early detection is
the key.
About a year ago, a publisher assigned me to review a book titled:
Return to Wholeness: Embracing Body, Mind, and Spirit in the
Face of Cancer, by Dr. David Simon. It was a challenging assignment
for me, because cancer, although scary, seemed very distant to
me. The last few months, however, it has been frighteningly close.
Lately, it seems that cancer is a word I hear too often, from a member of my family, who died this year, to a two-year-old boy in my church who, virtually overnight, developed the fastest-spreading type of cancer in his little body. And I, who rarely even succumb to a cold, have grappled with some major health issues and stress-provoking medical tests this year. The most recent symptoms had me rushed in to see a gastroenterologist who ordered some diagnostic tests. My aunt is a colon cancer survivor, and of course, that was topmost on my mind. Thank God, my diagnosis did not show cancer, but the events of the past months have certainly forced me to think about it.
Many experts agree that the way you live your life and the precautions you take can reduce your chances of getting cancer. Sadly, cancer often strikes quickly and without mercy or warning, but studies do show that we can at least increase our line of defense.
Dr. Stephen Lacey, an experienced gastroenterologist in the Dallas area, would like men and women to take colon cancer screens very seriously. When I asked him about the symptoms of colon cancer, he said, "You feel great; there are few symptoms." He told the story of a patient who had only a little bit of bleeding and "thank God, was referred to me." A colonoscopy showed many, many polyps, and he knew even before the biopsy report that they were cancerous. Yet, he said he feels he cured the patient, because it was caught early enough. Another few months, he said, and it could have been a different story.
Regular screens are vital and this is what Dr. Lacey recommends:
Starting at age 40, your doctor should perform a rectal exam that
includes a "fecal occult blood test." A positive test
means that some blood was found in the stool and that additional
tests are needed to determine the source of bleeding. It could
merely be from hemorrhoids, for example. (Five to ten percent
of people with positive results are found to have cancer, according
to a report by The Cleveland Clinic.)
If the test is positive, Dr. Lacey would then recommend either a sigmoidocsopy or colonoscopy. Both are outpatient procedures. In the sigmoidoscopy, the doctor uses an instrument to view the lining of the rectum and the large intestine. A colonoscopy is more involved and will be ordered if the patient has a family history of colon cancer or the doctor feels this is the best procedure for the patient. In this procedure, polyps can be removed and biopsied. This test allows accurate diagnosis and treatment without the need for a major operation.
Be advised that the patient is sedated for this and will not be able to drive afterwards. The preparation for it is odious (hint: enemas), but doctors stress the importance of the test. It can identify not only colon cancer, but lots of other diseases as well.
Dr. Lacey recommends that from age 50 on, you get a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy as a colon cancer screen and then repeat it every three to five years. The type of procedure and frequency depends on the individual.
If you are over 40 and your doctor has not started doing the rectal/fecal occult test on you yet, it may seem masochistic, but request it.
Dr. Lacey also believes that antioxidants can reduce your chance of getting colon cancer, but emphasizes that there is no substitution for regular screens.
He does not believe that diet affects this particular type of cancer, but other experts do insist that a diet rich in vegetables and grains and low in red meat and saturated oils, as well as taking specific vitamins, can help boost your defenses against most types of cancer.
I've extracted information from a variety of sources to help you to increase your family's defenses. You may want to read some of the books referenced and talk to your health advisor. Vitamins and dosages vary depending on the individual, so it is always advisable to embark on such a regime under the direction of a trusted medical professional.
Dr. David Simon, the medical director of the Chopra Center
for Well Being:
"Among the most common malignancies in the Western world,
colon cancer is relatively rare in India, Latin America and Africa.
In general, people living in industrialized countries have higher
rates of colon cancer than people living in developing countries…
Once again the primary culprit seems to be our affluent eating
habits. Studies have consistently shown that a low-fiber, high-animal-fat
diet directly contributes to the development of colon cancer.
In societies where vegetables are the mainstays of meals and red
meat is rare, colon cancer is proportionately rare… Frying,
grilling and smoking meats seem to have a particular penchant
for activating carcinogens.
"How do we mitigate the effect? Reduce your intake of animal
fat and increase the fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your
diet. High fiber speeds up the movement of food through our digestive
tracts so that carcinogens have less time to do their evil work.
In addition to fiber, the antioxidant vitamins C and
E and betacarotene have been explored as possible guardians
of the colon.
Selenium has also been shown to have a protective effect
in animal models of colon cancer.
"Other choices that create an environment unfavorable to colon cancer include avoiding cigarettes and spending less time as a couch potato and more time exercising. People who are physically active have about half the risk of colon cancer."
Dr. Lester Packer, director of the Packer Lab at the University
of California at Berkely, and co-author of The Antioxidant Miracle:
"One of the most exciting areas of scientific research
involves the role of antioxidants in the prevention and treatment
of cancer. I believe that strengthening the network antioxidant
system will, over time, greatly reduce the risk of many different
types of cancer. At the dawn of the new century, cancer is the
second most common cause of death in North America.
"Cancer is not inevitable; in fact, most cancers can be prevented by making simple changes in lifestyle. Abstaining from known carcinogens such as cigarette smoke, eating an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables and getting regular exercise can greatly reduce your risk of getting cancer. There are numerous studies that clearly show a dramatic decrease in cancer rates among people who eat diets rich in antioxidants or to a lesser extent take antioxidant supplements. Although antioxidants are not the magic cure for cancer, the evidence is overwhelming that antioxidants play an important role in protecting against cancer."
Dr. Packer's work focuses on the antioxidant "network," a group of five vitamins and other substances that, when taken together, he says work more powerfully and effectively than they do alone. They are vitamin E, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid and glutathione.
The book also advocates selenium as a cancer fighter. Garlic, onion, broccoli and whole grains are on the National Cancer Institute's list of foods that can reduce your risk of developing cancer. These foods are all rich in selenium.
Dr. John McDougall runs a renowned in-patient program at St.
Helena Hospital in Santa Rosa, CA. He and his wife have co-authored
many books, including:
The McDougall Quick and Easy Cookbook. It includes many
health revelations, along with the healthy recipes. (It's a great
cookbook for your family; I highly recommend it.) "We all
know good health is supported by clean water and air, moderate
exercise and adequate rest. Confusion exists over the right diet.
People who avoid diseases common to Americans eat a mostly vegetarian
diet. Even after a person has cancer, diet is very important.
A healthy diet will cause them to live better and probably longer.
After all, if you believe, like most experts, that the high-fat
American diet causes cancer, then it makes no sense to throw gasoline
on a fire.
"Breast cancer is a woman's greatest fear. Worldwide, the incidence of breast cancer among women parallels their intake of rich foods. A rich diet is high in two recognized cancer promoters-fat and calories. Vegetable fats such as safflower and corn oils and animal protein suppress the immune system and strongly promote cancer. The Western diet also lacks substances that protect us from cancer. It is deficient in dietary fiber, (found only in plants), plant-derived antioxidant vitamins (beta carotene, C, and E) that repair DNA damage..."
Dr. James Balch is a well-known author of health books, including
Prescription for Nutritional Healing (widely available), The Super
Antioxidants and 10 Natural Remedies That Can Save Your Life (reviewed
in Profit Magazine, January 2000).
"In the United States one person dies from cancer every
three minutes…"
In Prescription for Nutritional Healing, (see review in SGIT archives),
Dr. Balch summarizes risk factors and symptoms for cancers. Here
are a few examples:
Colon Cancer
Risk Factors: lack of dietary fiber and calcium, polyps, family
history of colon cancer, continued constipation and or diarrhea,
a high fat diet.
Symptoms: rectal bleeding; blood in the stool, changes in bowel
habits.
Breast Cancer
Risk Factors: first childbirth after age 35, having no children,
family history of cancer, high alcohol and/or caffeine intake,
high fat diet, diabetes. There is a link between sugar intake
in older women and breast cancer; estrogens and oral contraceptives
have also been linked to breast and uterine cancer.
Symptoms: lumps, thickening and other physical changes in the
breast, itching, redness, and or soreness of the nipples. Cervical
and Uterine Cancer
Risk Factors: more than 5 complete pregnancies, first intercourse
before age 18, a history of gonorrhea or genital warts, multiple
sex partners, infertility. Symptoms: bleeding between periods,
unusual discharge, painful periods, heavy periods.
Ovarian Cancer
Risk Factors: not having had children, high fat diet.
Symptoms: no obvious symptoms, until in its later stages of development.
Prostate Cancer
Risk Factors: recurring prostate infection, history of venereal
disease, diet high in animal fat, high intake of milk and/or coffee,
use of male hormone, being over age of 50.
Symptoms: weak or interrupted urine flow, continuous pain in the
lower back, pelvis and/or upper thighs.
Dr. Balch recommends the following as a general prescription for health. Additional antioxidant needs vary by individual.
(Lycopene was also recommended by some of the other experts to help prevent prostate cancer. It is found naturally in tomatoes - so have your husband eat lots of them!)
Dr. Balch's recommendations are in line with the other experts
noted here: He suggests eating a diet that includes: grains, nuts
(especially almonds), seeds and brown rice, plenty of cruciferous
vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts; cabbage and cauliflower
and yellow and deep orange vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin,
squash and yams. Apples, berries, Brazil nuts, cantaloupes, cherries,
grapes, legumes and plums are also thought to help fight cancer,
he says. Eat onions and garlic and drink spring or steam distilled
water-not tap.
Green tea is an excellent antioxidant, he says.
Do not consume any of the following: peanuts, junk foods, saturated
fats, salt, sugar or white flour. Avoid animal protein, especially
luncheon meat, hot dogs or smoked or cured meats. Limit your consumption
of dairy products.
Get regular exercise.
Unfortunately, as I have found, cancer is real and non-discriminatory, striking men and women and even babies. If there is any chance that we can reduce our family's and our own risks, by having regular screens and tests, eating right, taking antioxidants and exercising, then why not try it? Good luck with your family's path to wellness.