A diet for colorectal cancer should help you avoid a recurrence of the disease and maintain your nutritional status during treatment. This form of cancer affects your large intestine, where digestive wastes are stored before leaving the body, or your rectum, the last 6 inches of your colon. While you're undergoing radiation for colorectal cancer, or after you've had surgery to remove a tumor, you may require specialized dietary management to protect your colon and ensure adequate nutrition.
Risk Factors
If you've been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, or your cancer is in remission, a low-fiber diet high in red meat, processed meat, refined sugars and starches and saturated fat may interfere with a healthy recovery. The trans fats in margarine, commercial baked goods and fried foods may also contribute to colon cancer. Whenever possible, replace saturated and trans fats with olive, safflower or canola oils.
Prevention
To maintain your overall health and keep cancer from recurring, the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) recommends that you increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, grain and other foods rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds that protect your body against the cellular alterations that promote tumor formation and growth. Berries, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes and other deeply colored vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins and other antioxidants. Replacing red meat with fatty fish, soy products, whey, egg whites and legumes may protect your colon and provide the extra protein you need to prevent muscle wasting. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt or probiotic supplements can help you maintain a normal balance of digestive flora, which promote colon health.
Cancer Treatment
Surgery is the preferred treatment for colon cancer, especially in the early stages, the UMMC notes. Your doctor may recommend radiation before or after surgery to reduce the tumor and prevent recurrence. Radiation to your abdominal area can alter your appetite and your ability to digest certain foods such as dairy products. If you develop lactose intolerance, you can replace milk products with low-lactose milk or yogurt, soy milk, almond milk or rice milk, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) suggests. Radiation to your abdomen may also cause diarrhea. Bland, starchy foods like crackers, white bread and rice, potatoes, bananas, canned corn and peas may bind diarrhea and reduce the frequency of your stools. Crackers, cookies, broths, yogurt and toast may be easy to digest if you're having nausea related to radiation therapy.
Post-Surgical Needs
During cancer surgery, your surgeon may perform a colectomy, which involves removing a portion of your colon or rectum to excise the tumor, then rejoining the healthy portions of your large intestine. If the segments of your colon can't be rejoined, you may require a colostomy, an opening in your abdominal wall to remove wastes. To allow your colon to recover after surgery, your doctor may advise you to temporarily switch to a low-fiber diet that eliminates vegetables and fruits with skins, whole grains, fatty foods, dairy products, sweets and other foods that may be difficult to digest. Yogurt, buttermilk, bananas, applesauce and white rice can solidify stools and reduce their odor, which may make it easier for you to care for your colostomy.
