5 Tips to Lower Colon Cancer Risk and Prevent a Colon Cancer Recurrence
INTRODUCTION
Dear colon cancer survivors, there is a way to prevent a colon cancer recurrence based on science and we’re diving into in this article. Colon cancer is one of the top four most diagnosed cancers globally. Here are a few colon cancer statistics:
– There are 1.4 million colon cancer survivors in the United States [1]
– Colon cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is the 3rd leading cancer globally
– Costs to the U.S. healthcare system are approximately $14 billion dollars annually [2, 3]
– It is the 2nd leading cause of death, however, death rates have been decreasing over the past three decades [2]
– It is uncommon in people under the age of 40, and is most common in people aged 60 – 75 years old [4]
PREVENT A NEW COLON CANCER DIAGNOSIS
It is possible to prevent colon cancer, whether it’s a new colon cancer diagnosis or preventing a colon cancer recurrence. Looking at colon cancer diagnosis patterns, we know that it is a disease of Western society, which is high in animal meat and fats, as well as in refined foods. Asian and African populations have some of the lowest rates of colon cancer due to their diets which are high in fiber.
In one of our previous articles, I discussed how the biological signs of colon cancer decreased in Americans who switched from the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) to a South African diet that comprises high-fiber foods in just 6 weeks.
The lifestyle habits to focus on that have been scientifically shown to reduce colon cancer risk include:
1. Dietary habits focused on increasing dietary fiber (here’s our list of high fiber foods and recipes).
2. Getting regular colonoscopy screenings, which will detect polyps (or a growth) in the inner lining of the colon. Another name for polyps are adenomas, which are precancerous growths of the colon or large bowel.
3. Getting occult blood tests which detects blood in the feces
As I discuss in my book “Cancer Prevention: The Diet and Lifestyle Habits that Cancer Hates” healthy cells that mutate can become cancerous cells. It takes multiple mutations in the DNA of originally healthy cells to create a cancerous cell.
DNA mutations are caused by diet and environmental factors, which I discuss in my book. Therefore, preventing DNA mutations in healthy cells should be the focus of any cancer prevention strategy.
PREVENT A COLON CANCER RECURRENCE
If you have been diagnosed with colon polyps you are at increased risk of colon cancer (i.e., colorectal adenocarcinoma) if those polyps are not removed. Another name for colon polyps is colorectal neoplasia and they can be a benign polyp or cancer.
There is a higher risk of polyps mutating from benign growths to full-blown colon cancer, therefore it’s important to remove the polyp once it is discovered upon colonoscopy. Scientists are now looking at chemoprevention, which is the use of cancer-fighting foods, herbs or supplements, to help prevent a colon cancer recurrence (or prevent colon polyps from recurring).
Here are the other 2 ways to lower colon cancer risk and they are possibly due to Two cancer-fighting supplements that help prevent a colon cancer recurrence are 1) calcium and 2) vitamin D, preferably when taken in combination with each other.
A recent meta-analysis (i.e., a large review study) that examined the results from 15 randomized controlled trials showed that these two supplements taken in combination significantly reduced the risk of advanced colon cancer (advanced metachronous neoplasia specifically by 27%.
After reviewing the publications, the vitamin D and calcium supplement concentrations that the study participants took are listed below.
– Vitamin D3 (1000 IU), calcium as carbonate (1200 mg)
– Calcium gluconolactate and carbonate (2000 mg elemental calcium daily)
– Calcium carbonate (3 g [1200 mg of elemental calcium] daily)
Get more tips on preventing a colon cancer recurrence with our Colon Cancer Bundle here
Prevent a colon cancer recurrence
FREE RESOURCES
Have more cancer prevention questions? We may have the answers in our free resources. Read or download them now:
1. Download the FREE eBook “HEALTHY FOOD SWAPS” if you’re ready to ditch processed and ultra-processed foods (which are linked to chronic inflammation) with healthier snack options. You’ll also get a list of healthy snacks according to weight and health goals (heart, brain focus, energy)
2. READ about the 10 foods that prevent cancer and our article on 6 Foods for Cancer Prevention
3. Read the article 4 Tips to Improve Breast Cancer Survival along with The Breast Cancer Diet that Increases Survival, then DOWNLOAD the FREE breast cancer survival kit that includes questions to ask your doctor, 8 tips to help lower your risk of a new or recurring breast cancer diagnosis, and 3 days of easy plant-based recipes.
4. Read the article Prevent a Colon Cancer Recurrence and The Optimal Colon Cancer Diet and FREE download of the Colon Cancer Bundle with 4 Tips on Preventing a Colon Cancer Recurrence (including cancer fighting foods) + 9 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Colon cancer prevention guide
ABOUT THE CANCER DETOX
Hi! I am Dee Grace Ph.D., scientist, author, and health coach based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Cancer Detox helps cancer patients, survivors, and those wanting to stay ahead of the curve prevent a new or recurring cancer with science-based health coaching.
Is the fear of cancer keeping you up at night? Is what you’re eating putting you at risk for cancer? What if you’re doing everything wrong and don’t even know it? Schedule a complimentary 15-min call with me to get clear on what modern, science-based prevention looks like.
Purchase my book “Cancer Prevention: Diet and Lifestyle Factors that Reduce Your Risk” on Amazon. Pulling from over 100 science-based studies, I provide the case for why cancer isn’t always random and often preventable. You’ll get 24 Prevention Habits that hold you accountable for implementing a cancer prevention lifestyle. along with over 40 cancer prevention guidelines for fighting breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancers.