To prevent colon cancer, eat fiber-rich plant foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains (oats, brown rice, whole wheat), legumes (beans, lentils, peas), nuts, and seeds, which add bulk, dilute carcinogens, promote healthy gut bacteria (producing protective compounds like butyrate), and speed waste removal, all while helping with weight management. Focus on variety, eating the skin on produce, and gradually increasing intake with plenty of water.
The Two Kinds of Fiber: Soluble vs.
There are two main types of dietary fiber — soluble and insoluble. Both types of fiber are healthy and can lower cancer risk. Soluble fiber attracts water into the intestines and becomes a gel. Soluble fiber can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
The Best Foods for Preventing Colorectal Cancer
That means vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. In addition to adding fiber to your diet, these foods can also reduce your overall calorie intake, which can help you maintain a healthy weight – another key to reducing your risk.
1. Get Screened. Getting regular screening tests for colon cancer is the single best way to protect yourself from the disease. Screenings can catch cancer early, when it's most treatable, and help prevent the disease by finding abnormal growths called polyps that can turn into cancer.
Calcium, fiber, milk, and whole grain have been associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer, and red meat and processed meat with an increased risk. There is substantial evidence for the potential chemopreventive effects of vitamin D, folate, fruits and vegetables.
First and foremost, eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils.
Colon cancer and rectal cancer might be linked with a typical Western diet. This type of diet tends to be low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Research in this area has had mixed results. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat a lot of red meat and processed meat.
See a doctor if symptoms like diarrhea, constipation or bloating don't resolve on their own within a few weeks. Excessive fatigue and losing weight without trying may also be symptoms of colorectal cancer. Contact a doctor immediately if you see blood in your stool.
About 90% of cancers are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, not genetics, including smoking, poor diet (red meat, fried foods), alcohol, sun exposure, pollutants, infections, obesity, and inactivity; only 5–10% are due to inherited genetic defects, with most cancers arising from lifestyle-induced genetic mutations. Tobacco alone accounts for about a third of cancer deaths, while diet, obesity, and inactivity contribute significantly, with controllable factors being key to prevention.
Folic Acid and B Vitamins may also aid in colon cancer prevention. Recent research suggests a deficiency in folic acid has been linked to cancer. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids-Omega-3 PUFA's are healthy fatty acids and may be linked to colon cancer prevention. They are predominantly found in fish and nuts.
Foods to Avoid for Colon Health
Saturated Fats – Limit red meats to one to two servings a week and avoid consuming processed meats such as sausage or hot dogs. According to the ACS, the risk of colon cancer increases by 15% to 20% if you consume 100 grams of red meat per day.
What type of eating plan is best to prevent colon polyps? Research suggests that making the following changes may have health benefits and may lower your chances of developing colon polyps: eating more fruits, vegetables, and other foods with fiber , such as beans and bran cereal.
Diets that include lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains have been linked with a decreased risk of colon or rectal cancer. Also, eat less red meat (beef, pork, or lamb) and processed meats (hot dogs and some luncheon meats), which have been linked with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Foods That Can Increase Risk
Studies have shown that the Western diet has been strongly linked to chronic inflammation. The main food substances that cause inflammation in the body and may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer, researchers have found, are sugar, animal fats, and red and processed meats.
Ferulic acid also has been shown to suppress colon cancer cell growth. This experimental evidence may explain how coffee helps prevent colon cancer later in life. We have strong evidence that coffee reduces the risk of: Endometrial cancer.
Background: Dietary fiber has been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. However, it remains unclear at which stage in the carcinogenic pathway fiber may act or which food sources of dietary fiber may be most beneficial against colorectal cancer development.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers thanks to the HPV vaccine. HPV, or the human papillomavirus, causes 99% of all cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine, which is given in 2 doses, targets 9 different types of the virus.
“There are several important clues for potential causes for increase in early-onset cancers. … Many lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, diet, and some environmental factors such as air pollution have changed since 1940 to 1950.”
Lycopene was found to inhibit human cancer cell proliferation, and to suppress insulin-like growth factor-I-stimulated growth.
Conclusions: Early recognition of red-flag signs and symptoms (abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and iron-deficiency anemia) may improve early detection and timely diagnosis of early-onset CRC.
And, depending on where a tumor is located, it can also cause an obstruction, or a blockage in the colon, which can cause severe pain. Those typically occur on the lower left side of the abdomen.
Eating a healthy diet—one rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in red and processed meats—may help reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. A high intake of red and processed meats has been shown to increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Additionally, obesity, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, sleep deprivation, and other factors have been proven to further increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Dr. Corley stated researchers cannot pinpoint the exact cause for the rise of colon cancer among younger populations. Obesity or being overweight increases the risk of many types of cancer, he said, as does decreased exercise. Changes in the bacteria within a person's gut can also influence cancer risk.
We offer advanced treatments and new options available only through clinical trials. The most common treatments for colon cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Often, patients have a combination of treatments. But not everyone needs all of these.