COLON CANCER

COLON CANCER

Colon cancer is a common type of malignancy (cancer) in which there is uncontrolled growth of the cells that line the inside of the colon or rectum. Colon cancer is also called colorectal cancer.

• The colon, also known as the large intestine, is the last part of the digestive tract.
• The rectum is the very end of the large intestine that opens at the anus.

Four ways to Prevent Colon Cancer

1. Keeping things moving through your vowels Chow down on vegetables such as broccoli, kale, carrots, onions, cabbage, collards, peas, potatoes and all dark green, yellow and orange vegetables. Why? They are high in fiber, so they keep bowels moving, but that’s not all. Vegetables contain substances that take toxins through your intestines quickly and harmlessly. And don’t forget the wheat bran for more fiber. There is some evidence that fiber may even reverse the growth of precancerous polyps.

2. Cut down on the saturated fat you’re eating. Saturated fat is usually solid at room temperature, examples are butter, the marbled fat in meat, the fat from fried foods, and hydrogenated oils. Your fat calories should be no more than 25 percent of your diet, and of that, 10 percent or less should come from saturated fat.

3. Get your calcium. It is paramount in the prevention of colon cancer. The French eat five to six servings of yogurt daily, and even thought they consume as much fat as most North Americans, the rate of colon cancer is much lower.

4. Say yes to Selenium! Over the past few years a number of studies have linked low selenium level with colon cancer. In a study at the University of Arizona, it was found that people with high levels of selenium in their blood had fewer colon polyps, which are often precancerous.

Selenium is an important part of an antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme may prevent damage to cells. Some studies show that it plays a role in the repair of DNA and helps activate the immune system.

Onion and garlic are a rich source of selenium. Other great sources of selenium are brown rice, seafood, kidney, liver, wheat germ, bran, tuna fish, tomatoes and broccoli.

You can take 100 to 200 micrograms of selenium daily.