Are YOU At Risk For Colon Cancer?
Karen Collins, R.D. recently published an article on MSNBC that point out some things we can do to reduce our risk of colon cancer. While an estimated 148,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006 apparently seventy-five percent of colon cancer patients have not inherited the risk.
So where do we look?
We only need to look at our habits…
Our eating habits… Collins points out that changing our eating habits can reduce our risk of developing colon cancer.
Processed meats -
A large study has revealed people who ate 4 to 8 ounces of processed meat per week showed a 13 percent increase in colorectal cancer.
It gets worse…
Another study showed eating eating nearly three ounces a day raised colorectal cancer risk 42 percent!
High fat foods
Saturated fat, from fatty meat, ice cream, high-fat cheese and milk, may trigger increased production of insulin and growth factors that seem to promote colon tumor growth.
Vegetables
It is a risk if you’re not getting five to 10 servings of vegetables and fruits and at least three servings of whole grains each day. Fiber is GOOD!
Recent population studies have shown an approximate 25 percent decrease in colon cancer and precancerous growths in those who meet current fiber recommendations.
Fish is GOOD!
Diets high in omega-3 fats found particularly in fish such as salmon, albacore tuna and rainbow trout may decrease inflammation that may lead to colon cancer, and may increase the self-destruction of cancer cells.
