Colon cancer is in the top five cancers diagnosed every year in Western cultures, with one in 20 people developing the disease in their lifetimes. Fortunately, survival rates are steadily increasing based in part on improvements in diet and lifestyle both pre and post surgery as well as earlier diagnosis of the disease.
For those who have already had surgery to remove colon cancer, adopting a healthier diet is an important step to stop the cancer recurring. One of the single biggest contributors to colonic cancer is an excess of fat in the diet, in particular omega 6 fatty acids which are found in many plant oils and animal fats. Reducing the overall amount of fat in your diet is important but you can also shift the balance more to omega 3 fats. These are present in fish, nuts and olive oil and have been shown to reduce the incidence of colon cancer. If you don’t eat fish, you may want to consider fish oil supplements. Your colon health diet should also focus on foods which are high in antioxidants. These are very important in preventing cell damage which can lead to cancer. They also boost your immune system. The types of food to include are leafy green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, and in fact all organic fruits and vegetables will be beneficial. Green tea is also a good source of antioxidants.
Although it is far more effective to get minerals and vitamins from the food you eat rather than taking supplements, it isn’t a bad idea to take a regular multivitamin. Choose one that includes folate, vitamin D and calcium, particularly if your diet is low in dairy. Some studies show that diets high in vitamin D and calcium are linked to lower rates of colon cancer.
Also include fiber in your diet so that you stay regular. This is an effective natural remedy for constipation, which can be a contributor to abnormal polyp growth in the colon, and lead to cancer down the track.
