Tennova Healthcare Warns That Pro-Inflammatory Diets May Up Your Odds for Colon Cancer
3/14/2018
Health system encourages eating more whole grains while cutting back on red or processed meats and sugary drinks
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Tennova Healthcare is making a special effort to educate the community on the role of healthy eating in the fight against the disease.
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of deaths in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum, and more than 50,000 people die from it. However, the disease is highly treatable if caught early.
Now, research indicates that eating right can help lower your risk of developing colon cancer in the first place. Results of a U.S. study, which was led by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, were published in the January 18 issue of JAMA Oncology. The study findings show that people who consume lots of foods linked to chronic inflammation, such as red meats and refined grains, may be more likely to develop colon cancer than individuals who tend to avoid these foods.
“We have known for many years that there is a clear link between obesity and digestive health,” said Sirisha Jasti, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Tennova Gastroenterology. “This study sheds light on how certain eating habits can play a role in the development of cancerous tumors, specifically those found in the colon.”
Researchers examined more than two decades of survey data to obtain information about the dietary patterns of more than 120,000 men and women. People who regularly ate pro-inflammatory foods were 37 percent more likely to develop colon cancer and 70 percent more likely to develop rectal cancer, compared with those who had a lower inflammatory diet, the findings showed.
The American Cancer Society recommends the following screenings for all men and women, starting at age 50:
Tests that identify polyps and cancer:
- Colonoscopy every 10 years; or
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years*; or
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*; or
- Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years*
Tests that may indicate cancer:
- Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT); or
- Yearly guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT); or
- Stool DNA test (sDNA) every 3 years*
*If the test is positive, a colonoscopy should be done.
Processed meat, red meat, organ meat, refined flour and sugary drinks were among the foods linked to cancer-related inflammation. On the other hand, green leafy and dark yellow vegetables, whole grains, coffee and fruit juice appeared to reduce inflammation.
“Basically, what makes for a healthy diet overall also has the potential to promote a cancer-free colon,” Dr. Jasti said. “This means that chowing down on hamburgers, donuts and sugar-laden drinks is not only bad for your waistline, but it might also increase your long-term risk of colon cancer.”
Although diet is important in preventing colorectal cancer, early detection and prompt treatment are key to saving lives. “Regular screenings starting at age 50 are essential to diagnosing the disease early when treatment options are most effective,” Dr. Jasti said. “We can even prevent colorectal cancer from occurring by finding and removing precancerous polyps or other abnormal growths.”
People at an increased risk for colorectal cancer may need earlier and more frequent screening, depending on the recommendation of a healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor about which screening tests are right for you.
“More than 90 percent of colon and rectal cancers occur in people aged 50 and older. Precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always have symptoms, particularly at first. That’s why screenings beginning at age 50 are so vital,” Dr. Jasti said.
For more information or to find a doctor, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682) or visit our Find A Doctor page.
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