Foods to Avoid for Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is a form of cancer that is common in older adults and starts in the large intestine or colon. The colon is a complex organ that is central to human health and survival. Colorectal cancer is a combination of colon and rectal cancer that starts in the rectum instead of the colon. Since the symptoms of colon cancer are not obvious in the beginning, many doctors recommend their patients get colon cancer screenings beginning when they turn 50 years of age.
Typical symptoms of colon cancer can include fatigue, a steady change in bowel habits like constipation or diarrhea, rectal bleeding, stomach cramps or pain, and unexplained weight loss. There are many colon cancer treatments available including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, drug treatments, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. A colon cancer diet of healthy foods with fruits and vegetables can help prevent this disease. There are also certain foods that should be avoided for colon cancer prevention, including:
1. Foods processed in saturated fat
There is research that shows that eating foods without much saturated fat may be a big help in preventing colon cancer. These healthier fats are called monounsaturated fats and they include things like canola oil, olive oil, seeds, fish, and nuts.
2. Foods with high sugar content
Foods that are high in sugar include candy, sweet treats, and sweet drinks. These foods offer little nutritional value while raising the risk for colon cancer considerably thanks to their contribution to obesity. They also cause trouble by taking up space in your digestive tract that could be used for fruits and vegetables that relieve symptoms of colon cancer and help prevent it.
3. Foods that are fried
Foods that are fried in grease and often found in restaurants and fast food places make the colon cancer symptoms much worse and less effective. Because these greasy foods also remain in the stomach for such a long time, they are painfully difficult to digest.
4. Drinks with caffeine
Caffeine can be quite harmful to your colon because it adds to nausea and diarrhea symptoms while increasing stomach acid and heartburn. Caffeine also causes trouble because it leads to sleeping problems, which is already one of the problems associated with chemotherapy.
5. Foods with processed meats
Bacon and cold sandwich meats contain chemicals that aggravate the sensitive colon lining. That aggravation can cause more painful symptoms of colon cancer.
6. Drinks that are carbonated
Sodas and other fizzy carbonated drinks contain sugars that make colon cancer symptoms like nausea and gas much worse. These sugars also offer no nutrition while contributing to obesity and weight gain. Obesity is another cause of colon cancer.
7. Foods with sodium nitrate
Hot dogs and foods like it are preserved with sodium nitrate. When this chemical digests in the stomach, it creates a very high risk for colorectal cancer and the symptoms associated with it.
8. Alcoholic drinks
Drinks with any amount of alcohol do not mix well with colon cancer medications. Alcoholic drinks also cause acid reflux, pain in the throat, and heartburn.