Colon Cancer Awareness Walk - March 15, 2008

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Can You Protect Yourself?
By: Ahmad Attar, M.D., OSGNA Medical Advisor

Ohio ranks sixth in the nation for colon cancer related deaths; Cincinnati has the highest rate in Ohio, and one of the highest rates for colon cancer in the country. There are theories for this, but no definite answer. You are taking an unnecessary risk with your life if you are age 50 or over (40 or over if you are African American or Hispanic, or have other risk factors), and have not had an examination for colon cancer this year. Cancer of the colon is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in the USA; every year about 54,000 Americans die from it. Death from colon cancer is often preventable. Early detection is the best protection!

Colon cancer typically starts from polyps; small benign growths on the mucosa of the colon, that have the potential of becoming cancerous. Polyps usually cause no symptoms at an early stage, and people are unaware of their existence. Colonoscopy is the only definite way to detect polyps and colon cancer in the early, curable stage.

Individual risk factors include a personal history of:

1. Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
2. Colonic polyps
3. Breast, ovarian, cervical, or uterine cancer
4. Close family members with a history of cancer, especially colon cancer.

Everyone 50 years of age or over, or with other risk factors, should minimally have a yearly occult blood stool exam, complimented with a colonoscopy at intervals recommended by a Gastroenterologist, based on your personal history.

Symptoms of colon cancer, which typically don’t occur until advanced stages, include a change in bowel habits (including constipation and/or diarrhea), rectal bleeding (sometimes dangerously mistaken as only hemorrhoids), pencil-thin stool, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue, anemia, and unexplained weight loss. If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, consult with a Gastroenterologist for further evaluation, as any number of things can cause these symptoms, and a definitive cause needs to be established for proper treatment. Colonoscopy has facilitated early discovery of colon cancer related diseases, and the safe, painless removal of polyps which have the potential of becoming cancerous. Since colon cancer progresses slowly, at least 95% of its victims can be saved by early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

The exact cause of colon cancer remains unknown, but studies indicate a strong correlation with diet. A high fat, low fiber diet increases your risk. Studies indicate that colon cancer risks are higher in countries with a greater total fat dietary intake than those which consume little fat. The average American diet consists of 40-45% of their total calorie intake coming from fat, which correlates to a higher risk of colon cancer. Evidence of this is exhibited in the fact that the Japanese have the lowest rate of colon cancer, but once they move to the USA and assume our eating habits, their incidence of colon cancer rises. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are the main sources of fiber. Fiber supplements are available for people that don’t eat enough fiber. Excessive amounts of red meat may increase your risk for polyps and colon cancer. The recommended amount of red meat is less than 7 ounces per week. The impact of vitamins in relation to cancer is still investigational. Limited data exists to substantiate that foods high in vitamins A and C could act as antioxidants in the prevention of colon cancer. It remains ambiguous whether or not vitamin E has any preventative role. Other vitamins are not known to be helpful. There is potentially a preventative role for dietary calcium. Calcium has a protective effect on the colonic mucosa. Some studies indicate that aspirin and NSAID’s may prevent colon polyps and cancer. My dietary/health recommendations are as follows:

• Low fat, high fiber diet. This means avoiding fried foods, butter, margarine, and any type of animal fat. Prepare foods by grilling, steaming, or baking. If you must fry, stir fry foods with cooking sprays, or a small amount of vegetable oil. Tip: Vegetable oils such as Canola and Corn, and Olive Oil are lowest in saturated fat, and conveniently located in all food stores.
• Decrease your intake of red meat and other high fat/cholesterol foods.
• Increase fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
• Avoid preserved and processed foods. The closer a food is to its natural state, the better.
• Maintain normal weight in relation to your height.
• Be physically active on a regular basis; at a minimum do 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on most days, preferably every day. This is in addition to your regular activities.
• Smoking increases your risk, so make a plan to quit now.
• Decrease, or preferably eliminate, alcohol intake.
• Make an appointment today for a screening colonoscopy if you are 50 or older- sooner if you have risk factors.

Knowledge is the key to beating colon cancer. Regular colonoscopy screenings can prevent its occurrence by enabling the removal of polyps before they develop into a cancer. Colon cancer is beatable and treatable!

Dr. Ahmad Attar is an active member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Motility Society, American Pancreatic Association, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and Ohio State Medical Association. Dr. Attar can be reached at 10496 Montgomery Road, Suite #208, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242. (513) 791-8882.
Last Updated 7/06/2007