genetic

Colon cancer runs in my family, what can I do to try and reduce my risk of getting it?

[Morecambe]

I have read that colon cancer is practically unknown in countries where a high fibre diet is eaten.  The logic behind this discovery is presumed to be:-

- a high fibre diet speeds the passage of food intake to excretion (i.e. the time from "chewing in the mouth" to "defecation" is lessened)
- therefore any toxic products of metabolism remain in contact with the bowels for a shorter time
- therefore this reduced time of contact lessens the chances of colon cancer

I think I have read that the incidence of colon cancer in Mexico is increasing since more and more people have adopted "bland American food diets" whereas previously they ate natural high fibre diets containing plenty of fibre/roughage etc.

This suggests a diet that emphasises:-

- raw fruit
- raw vegetables (and lightly steamed vegetables too if you wish)
- wholemeal bread
- organic rice
- plenty of organic bran
- plenty of grains
- ~2 litres of water per day
- no junk food/cola/white bread etc
- and yes - you can enjoy Swiss chocolate as a treat as well!!


Hope this helps.

regards
Morecambe

PS - also if you feel that you are seriously at risk then maybe you should have a colonoscopy every ??? (3???) years

[jdwithhcv]

If you have a first degree relative (parent, child, sibling) with colon cancer, you should begin having screening colonoscopy when you are 10 years younger that the age at which that realtive was diagnosed.  For example, my father died at age 50 and his colon cancer was diagnosed postmortem.  That meant I should have begun having screening colonoscopy testing at age 40.  I did not know this, and did not have a colonoscopy until I had symptoms at age 46.  At that time I was diagnosed with Stage IIIc colon cancer.  If I had regular testing from age 40, my cancer would have been found in a much earlier stage.  Early detection is very important in colon cancer, and despite what anyone tells you, it is not necessarily an indication of poor diet.  Some people have a genetic predisposition to colon cancer.  Be sure your doctor knows about your family history and get tested.  It can save your life.

jd

[clbouchie]

My father was diagnosed at 34 with colon cancer and passed when he was just shy of 36 I believe, my grandfather passed away from it in his 60's after battling it and going in and out of remission since his 30's. My great grandfather also died from it after being diagnosed with it in his late 30's and going in and out of remission. I just went and did the smartest thing I could have ever done .... get the genetic testing done! Go in for your normal exams and inform them on the history of your family, get the necessary preventative measures done routinely. I am currently awaiting my results as are my brothers and sisters.... and have a colonoscopy scheduled for late this month. Do yourself the favor... go in, get the exams done and get that genetic testing done... it is worth it to know what is in your genes before you develop it.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

what test do they  do for the genes is it just a blood test