The third most common form of cancer in American men and women is any variation of colon cancer including colon, rectal or colorectal cancer. Contributing risk factors you cannot control include heredity, age and ethnicity. However, smoking and dietary habits are controllable risk factors you can change to reduce your risk of developing this form of cancer.
Colon Cancer Information
The large intestine helps complete the digestive process. Your colon resides in the lower portion of the large intestine and it absorbs water or nutrients from foods you eat. It then stores unused nutrients as waste for later elimination. The rectum is the ending portion of digestion and it receives the waste to eliminate it from your body. Your body can form tumors or polyps in the colon, the rectum alone or in combination resulting in colon or colorectal cancer. The exact cause of cancerous tumor formation is unknown but harmful substances like free radicals may contribute to this process. Poor diet and smoking are significant factors that raise your risk of free radical damage.
Carcinogens, Metabolism and Free Radicals
Metabolism is a normal bodily process that breaks down the nutrients from foods you eat into small molecules so your body can use the nutrients properly. During the breakdown process, oxidation occurs causing reactive molecules to form. These reactive molecules are known as free radicals and they can move all around your cells causing damage to your organs. Toxic substances, or carcinogens from inhaling pollutants and cigarette smoke also increase the free radical formation in your body. Although food metabolism naturally lends to free radical formation, you can eat protective foods like fruit that contains antioxidants to help neutralize the free radicals.
Smoking and Colon Cancer
The longer you smoke, the more likely your chance of developing a form of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, a study published in 2009 in "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention" found sufficient evidence to link long-term cigarette smoking with a high incidence of colorectal cancer risk. Study participants that smoked for 40 years or more had a 50 percent increased risk of colon or rectal cancer development than smokers who quit before the age of 40. Smoking paired with additional risks of poor diet, obesity and other medical illness like diabetes had even higher risk of cancer development.
Vitamins, Antioxidants and Fruit
Fruit is part of a well-balanced diet for overall health but it serves a specific purpose in supplying you with vitamins containing antioxidants that reduce your risk of colon cancer. Fruits including oranges, berries, grapes, cantaloupe, apples and pears are significant sources of vitamins A and C. These vitamins are antioxidants that inhibit oxidation and free radical damage. Fruit also supplies a source of fiber, which is important for clearing your intestines of waste. To reduce your risk of colon cancer, eat five to nine servings of fruit daily along with a diet low in fat and processed foods.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Colon Cancer; April 15, 2009
- Stanford Medicine: Nutrition to Reduce Cancer Risk
- Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation; Eating Well/Diet; Dr. Joel Fuhrman
- American Cancer Society; Long-Term Smoking Increases Colorectal Cancer Risk, Study Shows; Rebecca Snowden; Dec. 3, 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin C; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; 2006
- American Cancer Society; Colorectal Cancer Overview; 2011
