23 Apr 09 CANCER: COLORECTAL CONCERNS
No site is very pleasing for a tumor, but the notion of a cancer taking up residence in your bowel is extra queasy. Why, of all places, is it there?
For one thing, this is a place with a high cell turnover rate, so the likelihood of cancer developing is increased. Another reason is that the colon is full of bacteria that produce carcinogens. Cancers in either of those two bowel parts are usually lumped into the “colorectal” category. About 54,900 deaths from colorectal cancer were predicted for 1997, about 10 percent of all cancer deaths.
But actually, people are getting less colorectal cancer these days. The total incidences dropped from about 149,000 new cases in 1994 to an estimated 131,200 cases in 1997. This may be due to adopting healthier lifestyles, says Dr. Wurzelmann.
Early detection and removal of precancerous polyps are also likely playing a role. “I’m not seeing the big, bulky, extensive cancers that I used to 15 or 20 years ago,” and the reason is early detection, says Bruce Wolff, M.D., professor of surgery at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation in Rochester, Minnesota, and a member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.
If you want to increase your odds that there won’t be anything to detect-early or later-doctors recommend taking these steps.
Ask for aspirin. Popping a baby aspirin once a day seems to help with a lot of things, including colorectal cancer. According to Dr. Wurzelmann, aspirin increases the rate at which cancer cells kill themselves off. Some doctors are reasonably concerned about stomach bleeding or discomfort from daily aspirin doses. But, says Dr. Wurzelmann, “if you can tolerate aspirin, it may be a reasonable way to prevent cancer. Further research is needed, however, before final recommendations can be made.” Check with your doctor before you start popping aspirin.
Cool it with the booze. Heavy drinking has been connected with esophageal cancer, but it also increases the likelihood of the polyps that are precursors to colorectal cancer. “People who drink a lot can get more polyps,” Dr. Wurzelmann says. “Several different studies support that connection.”
Bulk up with fiber. The verdict is in on high-fiber diets, and it’s a good one for colorectal cancer prevention. Canadian researchers, looking at 13 studies involving more than 15,000 people, found that adding 13 grams of fiber a day to your diet could reduce your risk by 31 percent. The National Cancer Institute suggests that you increase your fiber intake to between 20 and 30 grams a day.
Embrace brassicas. For colorectal cancer, there is convincing proof that vegetables decrease risk. It’s a kid’s nightmare. Eat lots of different vegetables but be sure to include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. All are members of the brassica vegetable family, and they could be a grown-up guy’s salvation. They contain chemicals that appear to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. “Eat as much as you can enjoy,” suggests Dr. Wurzelmann.
Do calisthenics for your colon. One of the more proven ways to reduce colon cancer is to get moving. No, not that kind of moving. We’re talking physical activity here-exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily. Even if that exercise is divided into 10-minute segments, it’s enough to reduce the risk of colon cancer.
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Tags: Cancer
