Colonoscopy Not by Bill Sardi

Almost half of all patients thought "cured" of colon cancer develop recurrence within 5 years – usually due to undetected spread of their cancer. This begs for prevention. Preemptive measures to ward off the occurrence of cancer appear to be a more productive course than undergoing repeated colonoscopies which most of the time detect inconsequential polyps or large invasive Stage IV tumors that have a dire prognosis. The most promising treatments never address the cause of the disease.
Space is limited here so I must briefly present bullet points.

• Smoking increases colon cancer risk by 3-fold compared to never-smokers. [International Journal Cancer 91: 585-87, 2001]
• Smoking and drinking alcohol further increases the risk for colon cancer. Data shows that alcohol and tobacco users developed cancer an average of 7.8 years earlier than those who had never drank or smoked.
• A high-saturated fat diet increases the risk for colon cancer by 4-fold compared to a high-fat diet that includes fish oil.
• Omega-6 oil, such as provided in corn and safflower oil, is known to enhance the growth of tumor cells, whereas omega-3 oils, such as from fish or flaxseed oil, have the opposite effect. This has also been found specifically for colon cancer.
• Mice that are genetically prone to develop intestinal polyps, a precursor of colon cancer, hardly develop them at all when given omega-3 oil.
• Studies have demonstrated a reduced risk of colon cancer when populations with diets high in total fat switched to a diet high in total fiber and certain whole-grain foods. Researchers indicate the source of fiber needs to be considered. Bran appears to inhibit colon cancer more consistently than other sources of fiber.
• Refined grain intake actually increases the risk for colon cancer.
• Olive oil also appears to cut the risk for colon cancer in half.
• The combination of iron and fat in the diet increases the risk for rectal cancer by 330%! The combination of fat plus high-dose iron from red meat or iron pills may be problematic.
• In a study conducted in Japan, it was found that red meat increases the risk for colon cancer in men and in women, while daily coffee drinking reduces the risk for colon cancer.
• Decades ago supplemental vitamin C was shown to reduce polyps among patients who are genetically prone to colon cancer (familial polyposis). When 3000 milligrams of vitamin C was given to five patients who had rectal adenoma polyps following surgery. Rectal polyps disappeared in two patients, regressed partially in two and increased in only one.
• A 50% reduction in colon cancer risk can be achieved by adults who maintain adequate vitamin D blood levels, but for most adults in North America and Europe this means vitamin supplementation will be required.
• Drinking water reduces the risk of colon cancer in men. Men who consume the most water have a 92% lower risk of rectal cancer compared to men who drink less water.
• Long-term exposure to chlorinated drinking water (30-40 years) increases the risk of colon cancer.
• Foods with refined sugars confer almost 3-times increased risk for colon cancer.
• It has long been known that blood clots are common among cancer patients. Researchers now suggest patients admitted to the hospital for blood clots in their legs be screened as they exhibit a 3 times greater risk for colon cancer.
• Chronic constipation may increase the risk for colon cancer.
• Genetically susceptible mice, infection of the colon increased the number of adenomas by 4 times by 6 months of age. Helicobacter pylori infection has been shown to increase the number of polyps in the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease, which increases the risk for colon cancer, is associated with para-tuberculosis infection.

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