Colon cancer is one of the most severe forms of cancer diseases which can be life threatening too if its treatment is not started on time. It is also known as large intestine cancer which is the end part of the digestive system. If you have developed this life-threatening disease then have to be careful about your diet. Here we will discuss diet for colon cancer patient.
At first, it is important to understand what colon cancer is before discussing further related to this health concern. Whatever we eat it is digested in our body through the digestive system and large intestine or colon is the lowest part of this system. Initially, this disease is developed in the non-cancerous form in the cells lining to the large intestine known as polyps.
Under the condition, an untreated polyp develops into the cancerous form known as colon cancer with the passes of time. This is the most critical form of cancer which stands in the second position in the death rate because of it in the United States.
Whether you have already developed this cancer or want to prevent such cancer to be developed in near future you can take some healthy intake and diets that reduce the risk and growth of colon cancer.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
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Colon cancer is a life-threatening disease and in most of the cases, its symptoms are diagnosed only when the cancerous cells get developed fully. Otherwise, its sign or symptom hardly appears when polyp cells start lining to the large intestine.
Also, it is seen that the sign which indicates for the colon cancer might exists for some other health concerns too such as irritable bowel syndrome, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids etc.
However, if you are developing below-mentioned symptoms without further delay you should immediately consult with the doctors to confirm whether it is because of colon cancer or some other health concerns.
- Sudden changes in the bowel habits that exist for more than a week such as constipation, stool narrowing, diarrhea etc.
- Bleeding in the stool or rectal bleeding.
- An unwanted or unusual loss in weight.
- Mild and consistent pain in the abdomen area.
- Dark stools.
- Anemia
- Consistent fatigue and weakness.
If you are noticing these above-mentioned signs, either few of them or a combination of all, then it’s time for screening and testing in order to confirm the real cause of your symptoms. Early stage detection of colon cancer is best for the patient as because initial stage treatment can speed up the healing or recovery process.
Best Diet for Colon Cancer Patient
A colon is a severe form of cancer that anyone can develop at any point in their life. Especially if someone has the family history of this life-threatening disease then the risk exists to a great extent that they can easily be attacked by this cancer.
Doctors suggest that everyone should go for the screening test after the age 40 as if in the initial stage the cells of the colon can be detected in the diagnosis it can be prevented to grow further with accurate medication on time.
As this cancer is related to our digestive system so the foods that you eat everyday play a major role in reducing the risk of this critical form of cancer and even if someone is already going through its treatment process they can also eat some foods which can help in speeding up the recovery process.
Dairy Products
Dairy products or foods carry a high rate of nutrient and calcium content which is essential to strengthening your body. It supports your digestive process and reduces the risk of colon cancer by preventing the growth of polyp cells in the large intestine.
Be very wise while choosing dairy foods as you have to consider very prudently that which dairy food is good for your health and which one can elevate your health condition. A low-fat dairy product is always favorable for a good health. It is beneficial for both who have not developed the colon cancer yet and who are already suffering from this critical health issue.
Both low-fat foods and drinks are essential to preventing the risk of colon cancer. These foods and drinks are good and natural source of calcium and vitamin D. You can consume calcium supplements too if you don’t prefer to eat directly a dairy product as that will also boost your health to a great extent.
Low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, and egg are some healthy dairy products that you must include in your daily food routine. You can replace the whole dairy products with the skim or low-fat dairy products. Make sure that you are taking at least 1300 to 1500 milligrams of calcium intake on the daily basis to speed up your recovery process from the colon cancer.
Vegetables and Fruits
There are some fruits as well as vegetables which are the rich source of many vital minerals and vitamins that works amazingly against the colon tumor growth. Apart from this, it prevents in developing colon cancer in those who are safe as of now.
Green leafy vegetables and healthy seasonal fruits you can include in your everyday meal to speed your cancer relieving process. Out of leafy vegetable asparagus, spinach and broccoli come in the first list that works wonderfully in preventing the colon cancer risk and good for those who are going through its treatment process.
Fruits like berries, carrots, dried apricots, and cantaloupes are not only delicious by taste but it is also beneficial for your health. These fruits are a rich source of important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber that strengthen your body and prepare it to fight against the cancerous cells.
Green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals are also a good source of folate or folic acid which is a vital element in reducing the risk of colon cancer. As per the doctors, those who fully avoid the consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in folate are at a greater risk to develop colon cancer at any point in their life.
Whole Grain Intake
As per the NCI report, the consumption of whole grain-rich foods can reduce the risk of colon cancer to a great extent. Also, it will boost your recovery process by reducing the growth of colon cancer cells.
Some important and easily available whole grain foods include whole grain pasta, bread, cereal, and rice. Include these high nutrient dense and fiber-rich whole grain food in your breakfast, afternoon and dinner meals and stay fit and healthy.
Increase Your Folate Intake
Folate or folic acid-containing foods are also known as anti-colon food intake. It works as a natural medication in relieving colon cancer and prevents its growth in those who have not yet trapped by this life-threatening disease.
As per the doctors, 400 micrograms of folate intake is essential for each and every individual as because it is seen that most of the patient who develops colon cancer used to avoid eating of folic acid rich foods.
This healthy nutrient easily found in many fruits, vegetables, and cereals and in supplements form too. You can take multivitamin pill also on daily basis to replace the need of folate-rich foods consumption.
Folate-rich foods are a huge source of Vitamin B which strengthen your cells and prevents the damaging of cell DNA. Spinach and chickpeas are one of the big sources of folic acid. Other folate-rich foods include lentils, peas, beans, orange, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish etc.
Fish
Cancer makes its patient weaker and reduces their strength in fighting against the cancerous cells. So if you are fighting with colon cancer then you have to be very careful for your daily food intake to speed up your recovery process.
Fish is all time the first choice of doctors as it is beneficial in relieving several kinds of health concerns and for colon cancer patient it carries numerous benefits. Include fresh fish in your meal at least three to four days in a week without missing as fish is the natural source of omega 3 fatty acid and lean protein an essential element for colon cancer patients.
Fiber Foods
Fiber foods are considered as the natural anti-colon cancer product. There are several fruits and vegetables which carry fiber to a great extent and improve your digestive system and speeds up the digestion process which is related to colon cancer growth.
Food products waste that travels through the colon in the digestive tract carry carcinogens, harmful elements that can damage the large intestinal cells if it not been disposed of fast. Here in lies the role of your fiber intake which makes this disposal process fast and prevents the risk of colon cancer growth.
Apart from increasing the efficiency of your digestive system fiber foods are also beneficial for relieving other critical health conditions such as high cholesterol, hypertension, blood sugar, hemorrhoids etc.
Things to be avoided for Preventing Colon Cancer
Apart from the consumption of healthy and nutrient dense foods, you can avoid the risk of colon cancer growth by some healthy changes in your regular lifestyle. If you want to live a secure and healthy life then follow below mentioned some positive approaches to prevent life-threatening diseases like colon cancer.
Avoid Smoking
It is proved in surveys that those who have smoking habit especially who are chain smokers are at high risk of developing colon cancer. Smoking not only damages to your lungs but it also affects to your digestive tract which can elevate the colon cancer.
So it is very essential to kick out your smoking habit completely in order to save you from this chronic life-threatening disease. Also, smoking increases the risk of recurrence of the colon cancer. If you have not developed this disease yet then ensure that you are avoiding your smoking habit otherwise in future your health may fall into risk.
Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption
Alcohol and tobacco both are too harmful to overall health and for colon cancer, it is considered as an elevating factor. Whether you are going through its treatment process or not yet developed this cancer, make sure that you are quitting your alcohol and tobacco consumption habit for the safer side.
For those who are badly addicted to alcohol and find extreme difficulty in quitting, it is suggested to take it in very moderate amount. For women one small glass and for men two or lesser glass of alcohol is considered as the moderate consumption.
Avoid Highly Processed Foods
Highly processed foods especially processed red meat is enemy of good health and it increases the risk of colon cancer growth to a great extent. Apart from colon cancer processed foods are harmful to overall health as these food products are preserved through salting, smoking, chemical application, and curing process. So avoid the consumption of processed meat in any form such as hot dogs, ham, sausage, and bacon etc.
Foods Elevating Colon Cancer
As per the National Cancer Institute, (NCI) foods rich in high saturated fat and sodium are one of the primary reasons for developing cancer in humans’ body. So for avoiding the risk of colon cancer, it is very important that you avoid the consumption of food that contains these harmful elements.
Red meat, fried foods, dairy products (rich in fat or cream), commercially packaged food items like soups, condiments, pasta, crackers, and frozen dinner are some examples of foods rich in sodium and fat.
Also, baked foods, pork, lamb, butter and snacks that contain saturated fats, trans fat and sodium should be avoided completely. Carbonated soda and drinks are another harmful liquid food that must be avoided by the colon cancer patients.
Avoid Insulin Elevating Foods
It is proved in researches that high insulin level in the body plays a vital role in the formation and growth of cancerous cells. So for healthy living and preventing the colon cancer risk avoids the foods consumption that can trigger your insulin level.
Some foods which are known as a high elevator of insulin level in your body include deserts, sweets, French fries, red meat, processed meat, white bread (refined grains), sweet desserts, candies etc. These foods must be avoided as it can easily increase the insulin rate and resulting in a higher risk of developing colon cancer.
Our list of diet for colon cancer patient is highly effective for both colon cancer patients and non-cancerous patients. So ensure your healthy living by following the medically approved vital and health friendly diets.