Colon cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA which result in the abnormal growth of cells within the colon. It can happen to people of different genders, ages, and lifestyles but the good news is — it’s both preventable and treatable with the right colon cancer natural treatment plan.
According to cancer.net 1, colorectal cancer is one of the top 3 most common cancers diagnosed in men and women each year in the United States. This includes 101,420 emerging cases of colon cancer (51,690 being in men and 49,730 in women) and 44,180 emerging cases of rectal cancer (26,810 in men and 17,370 in women) each year.
With numbers that big, it’s important to take control and be aware of the things you can do now, to prevent this disease in the future. If you’re looking for ways to prevent colon cancer, read on. We have you covered with everything from diet tips, to the importance of regular colorectal cancer screening tests, to a little thing called vitamin D.
Forego the Red Meal
One of the best diet tips for how to prevent colon cancer is to say farewell to red meat, as studies suggest that red meat consumption increases the risk for colon cancer. One study found 2 that in adults ranging from ages 50 to 71, the individuals with the most red meat intake (about 5 ounces per day) had a 24% greater chance of having colorectal cancer than people who had the lowest intake (about 1 ounce per day). The study describes that there could be multiple reasons for the correlation between more red meat and a higher risk of colon cancer — including heme iron (an iron type found in red meat) and the fact that when red meat is cooked at a high temperature, there’s an increased exposure to carcinogens (HCA). For those of us who consume larger quantities of red meat, it might be hard to think of dinnertime without it. Try cutting down on your consumption by limiting your intake to once a week, then once every other week, then once a month. If you replace your red meat with other protein-filled foods like fresh fish and organic poultry, you might find your diet feels like one of abundance (rather than restriction).
Get Regular Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
Colorectal cancer screenings are one of the most important ways to prevent colon cancer. Because there are often no symptoms of colon cancer, getting screened regularly can help decrease your colorectal cancer risk and prevent it from occurring. The American Cancer Society 3 suggests that regular screening should start at age 45 for people of average risk. If you have a personal history of cancer, or colon cancer is hereditary in your family, talk to your health care professional and figure out the best methods of prevention moving forward. Also, if you have a history of inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, you can be at a greater risk for colon cancer as well. There are also hereditary conditions, like Lynch Syndrome, that put people at risk for colon cancer. Regular screening tests will allow doctors to look for colon polyps, which (although often benign), should be removed to prevent cancer. In addition to colonoscopies, there are other screening methods like Fecal Occult Blood Tests and doing a Sigmoidoscopy. Again, talk to your doctor and make a plan to get regular screenings.
Get Enough Vitamin D
In certain cases, low levels of vitamin D in the blood 4 have been linked to a greater risk of colon cancer. Whether you’re taking a vitamin D supplement or getting your vitamin D through sunlight, it’s important that your body has the right essential nutrients. One way to decrease the risk of colon cancer is to fill your diet with fish like salmon or trout, mushroom, milk, and egg yolk.
Avoid Processed Meat
Processed meat, like certain lunch meats and bacon, can often be filled with sodium nitrate. Sodium nitrate is a preservative that once combined with stomach acid, converts to nitrosamine (a carcinogen). Nitrates and processed meats have been linked to increased risks in colon cancer. If you love things like hot dogs and bacon, look for the nitrate-free options. More and more people are steering clear of nitrates, and as such, there are now more options available.
Try Going Vegetarian
In an article from Medical News Today 5, a study conducted at Loma Linda University in California discovered that vegetarian-style diets were associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer. The following four types of plant-based diets were studied:
- Vegan
The vegan diet calls for strictly no products of animal origin.
- Lacto-Ovo vegetarian
This specific type of vegetarian diet includes dairy and eggs but no meat.
- Pescovegetarian
A pescovegetarian diet includes fish but no meat.
- Semivegetarian
This diet includes meat and fish, though it does so infrequently
Each of the plant-based diets demonstrated a decreased risk of cancer as opposed to non-vegetarian diets.
Exercise
One of the most important things you can add to your wellness routine is an exercise regimen. Exercise doesn’t have to mean putting in two hours at the gym before work (though for some people, this works wonders). Exercise can simply mean to get moving. Studies show that people who lead an inactive lifestyle, with no regular exercise and a lot of sitting, along with people who are overweight or obese, may have an increased risk of colon cancer. In fact, people who exercise regularly have a 40% to 50% lower risk of colon cancer 6, compared with those who don’t exercise regularly. The key to exercise is to find something you love. Maybe it’s playing tag with your nieces and nephews, or taking a yoga class in the morning. If you enjoy nature, go for a nature hike to see the leaves changing or the flowers blooming. Enlist a group of friends and try a dance or martial arts class. There are so many ways to get out there and get moving. Not only are they fun — but they decrease your risk of disease and keep you healthy and happy.
Quit Smoking & Limit Alcohol
American Cancer Society 7 states that those who smoke for a long period of time are more likely than those who don’t smoke to get colon cancer and die from it, so if you’re a smoker looking for ways to prevent colon cancer — quit. It’s a simple answer that will have positive, long-lasting results. Alcohol has also been linked to a higher risk of colon cancer, so drinking no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women is recommended.
Eat Produce & Whole Grains
A known way to decrease the risk of colon cancer is to consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Diets including a bounty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains are associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer. To integrate more fruits and veggies into your diet, try eating locally and seasonally. Picking up berries from the farm stand or pumpkin at the local farmers’ market is not just good for you — it tastes good and it helps the community, too. When it comes to whole grains, get creative. Move beyond simple whole-grain bread and experiment with hearty grains like buckwheat, oats, quinoa, millet, spelt, bulgur, and barley. These grains are rich in a variety of nutrients like protein to vitamins.
Colon Cancer Natural Treatment Options
If you or someone who know has done these colon cancer prevention tips and have still been diagnosed with cancer, reach out to us today. Depending on the location and stage of colon cancer, treatment is available. At Immunity Therapy Center, we offer a variety of alternative treatments for colon cancer.
Similar to filling your body with healthy foods and vitamins, we believe that keeping your healthy cells strong is equally important as killing cancer cells. We focus on natural, safe, and effective therapies that offer little side effects as a result.
We have a dedicated staff in the holistic-hub of Tijuana who is enthusiastic about alternative cancer treatments for all kinds of cancer. For our patients, Tijuana represents the ability to take control of their treatment. Unfortunately, the U.S. has strict regulations against doctors providing less invasive and non-invasive holistic treatments, which makes options limited. Here, at our holistic cancer treatment center, we can focus on healing the patient through natural methods.
Dr. Bautista works with every patient for a thorough consultation and evaluation which then helps to tailor your treatments to your body. We know every patient is unique, and we want to make sure they get the type of treatment they need.
From all of us at Immunity Therapy Center, thanks for reading our colon cancer prevention tips. We hope this article has answered your questions about how to prevent colon cancer and inspired you to take control of your health. From diet and exercise to giving up smoking, we know your future is bright and beautiful. Wishing you a positive day ahead.
Written By: Dr. Pablo Orozco
Dr. Pablo Orozco is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.
Dr. Orozco has been a treating physician at the Immunity Therapy Center for more than 3 years providing daily on site patient care. He works with patients on a daily basis and guides them through the treatment process. Dr. Orozco’s passion for Alternative Cancer Treatments along with his commitment to patient care is key to insure that our patients have the best experience and results possible.
Sources
4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21378269
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321171.php
7. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.