Increase text size: A A A

Type in the condition you need,
or visit Advanced Search

Print this page

Email this to a friend

Comment on this page

Save to my Health Library

Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Can Diet Prevent Colon Cancer From Coming Back?

An unhealthy diet has long been associated with an increased risk of developing colon cancer, at times without much evidence other than common sense. Now a growing body of research is backing up these claims with studies showing that people who eat “good” foods may indeed be able to reduce their risk of developing colon cancer.

While most research has focused on the impact of diet on the initial development of colon cancer (what’s known as primary prevention), only a few small studies have examined the effect of diet on colon cancer recurrence. But findings from a new, larger study looking at that question suggest that eating "good" foods can reduce your risk of a recurrence of colon cancer as well and improve your odds of survival.

New research also demonstrates the value of certain nutrients in reducing the risk of colorectal polyp recurrence. But when it comes to adding some supplements to your diet to get those nutrients, there can be too much of a good thing.

What’s Your Dietary Pattern? My diet consists primarily of:

A) fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, poultry, and fish

B) red meat, fried foods, full-fat dairy products, refined grains, and desserts

If you selected B, beware. Investigators who examined the relationship between the dietary patterns of more than 1,000 people who had been treated for stage III colon cancer and their risk of colon cancer recurrence found that those who followed a typical American diet (answer B) were three times more likely to experience a recurrence of colon cancer than their counterparts who followed a more prudent diet (answer A), and they also were more likely to die.

The study, which was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is the first to address the effect of diet on recurrence in a population of colon cancer survivors. Since this was an observational study that relied on the participants to remember and report what they ate, the investigators caution that their results do not prove that a typical American diet causes colorectal cancers to recur. However, the results, they say, do strongly suggest that a diet consisting primarily of red and processed meats, french fries, refined grains, and sweets and desserts increases the risk of cancer recurrence and decreases survival.

Posted in Colon Cancer on August 5, 2008

Comments

Post a Comment

Users and editors may post comments here at their own discretion. The views expressed do not constitute medical advice and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or University Health Publishing, which has no responsibility for its content.


I had my sigmoid and part of my colon removed successfully with negative margins, when I was diagnosed with advanced Stage III colon cancer in December 2006. I went through 9 treatments of FOX4 and oxaliplatin and had to stop because of extreme weight loss and malnutrition! Since then I have found that I cannot eat whole grains and have been on a low fibre, low residue diet. Whenever I eat raw fruit, poultry or whole grain rice for example I get streaming diarrhea. I go every month for checkups, have CT scans every 6 months and flexible sigmoidoscopies every 4 months! So far I have no recurrence of the cancer. I also have a heart condition resulting from viral cardiomyopathy so I have to watch my salt intake. I do not eat red meat. I do have to take whole fat yogurt and not non-fat. Otherwise I am well. Does anyone else have similar problems? How do others cope with the high fiber diet suggested in this article?

Posted by: Herkleez | August 5, 2008

I was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer in 8/05, had a partial colectomy and 6 months of chemo. I was miserable every day for a year and a half after the surgery before removing all gluten and dairy from my diet and then adding probiotics and lactic acid yeast wafers. I started feeling better soon after that change and have felt fabulous for a year and a half now. I am still eating completely gluten free, and dairy free for the most part, and never processed meats, but have no other diet restrictions.

Posted by: niewiad4 | August 11, 2008



Post a Comment


New to the Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
Signup

User Name:


This appears next to your comment.


Email Address:

(this will not be posted)
This will be your login ID.

Password:

Confirm Password:


Receive Health Alerts?

Notify me when new comments are posted?

Comment (offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)

Already a subscriber?
Login

Email:

Password:


Forgot your password?

Registered Users Log-in:

Email:

Password:

Remember me
Forgot Password?

Become a Registered User!
It's fast and FREE!
The Benefits of Being A Registered User

Health Topic Pages

Arthritis +Add
Back Pain & Osteoporosis +Add
Cancer
Caregivers | Caregiving
Colon Cancer +Add
Complementary Medicine
Depression & Anxiety +Add
Diabetes +Add
Digestive Health +Add
Enlarged Prostate +Add
Exercise and Fitness
Healthy Living +Add
Heart Health +Add
Hypertension & Stroke +Add
Lung Disorders +Add
Memory +Add
Men's Health
Nutrition +Add
Prescription Drugs +Add
Prostate Disorders +Add
Sexual Health
Vision +Add
Weight Control +Add
Women's Health
Health Alert Special Report


Johns Hopkins’ Bestsellers

Colon Cancer

Our Featured Title:

Johns Hopkins White Papers

  • 2008 Colon Cancer White Paper
    Although colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer overall in the US, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, it's one of the most curable of all cancers when diagnosed and treated in its early stages. In The Johns Hopkins White Paper: Colon Cancer, specialists from Johns Hopkins Medicine report in-depth on the latest colon cancer screening tests, prevention strategies, and treatments.
    Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION
    Read more or order the PRINT EDITION


    Other Titles of Interest

  • 2008 Digestive Disorders White Paper
    The latest news and breakthroughs to help you relieve your symptoms if you suffer from: acid reflux (GERD), sour stomach, peptic ulcers, dysphagia, achalasia, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal spasm and stricture, gastritis, gallstones, diarrhea, constipation, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
    PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Good News For Your Gut through this exclusive web-only offer.
    Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION
    Read more or order the PRINT EDITION

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50
    Since 1988, Hopkins experts have been reporting the latest cutting-edge information on treating the major medical conditions affecting those over 50. Women's health, men's medical concerns, nutrition, weight control, breakthroughs on colon cancer, and more, direct to you every month from our specialists. Read more, collect your FREE trial issue, or order now and receive two FREE Special Reports...

    Reference Books

    Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health after 50

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50
    A comprehensive home medical encyclopedia that gives you a “crash course” on more than 100 major medical concerns of men and women over 50! Organized in an easy-to-use A to Z format, the Medical Guide provides in-depth explanations of the many chronic health problems associated with aging – high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, dementia, memory loss, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gallstones, to name but a few.Read more or order...

    Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies

  • Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies
    This easy-to-use reference book can help you pinpoint the causes of hundreds of disorders, from abdominal pain to skin rash to swollen glands. The book is divided into two distinct sections: symptoms, which includes charts covering a wide range of common symptoms and possible diagnoses, and disorders, which discusses the disorder, its causes, prevention advice, treatment strategies, and other crucial information so you will be able to either treat yourself at home, or know when it's time to call a doctor. Read more or order...


    Other Johns Hopkins Reference Books

  • The Johns Hopkins Consumer Guide to Drugs
    Contains drug profiles on more than 750 medications–both prescription and over-the-counter, most commonly used by people over 50, all presented in our unique page-at-a-glance format, designed with you in mind, the busy person who wants the most reliable health information available at your fingertips. Your guide also includes an invaluable overview of dietary supplements and how they can interact with certain medications, the dangers of taking your pills with grapefruit juice, and more. Read more...

  • The Johns Hopkins Consumer Guide to Medical Tests
    Created to help you understand the essentials of the many tests now used for diagnosing major illnesses. Each test profile gives you a thorough understanding of why the test is being given, the costs involved, and what you can expect before, during, and after the test. Above all, your guide will help you understand what your results mean, and what to look out for after the test to stay safe. Make more educated decisions about your health and medical care with the help of this unique guide.



  • COME SEE WHAT'S NEW IN THE BOOKSTORE!


    ALL NEW!Number One of America's Best Hospitals 2008: Johns Hopkins

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been ranked #1 again in the Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals by
    U.S. News and World Report for the 18th consecutive year.


    Please visit here for more information about Johns Hopkins Patient Services

    Please send me The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to
    Health After 50




    Yes! Please send me The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50 for just $29.85, plus shipping and handling. I may review it risk-FREE for 30 days. If not completely satisfied, I may return the book, no questions asked.



    The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50 is a contemporary health handbook for your home with the authority of America’s #1 medical center behind it. Only one book brings the full force of the world’s renowned health experts to bear on the unique health issues affecting men and women after 50.



    Risk-FREE.
    Fill out the form and click "Submit my order."

    First Name

    Last Name

    Address

    Address2

    City

    State

    Zip

    Email Address (required)

    Please send me FREE monthly Johns Hopkins Healthy Living
    Health Alerts

    Your risk-free review. Yours to review risk-free. If you are not satisfied with The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50 for any reason, simply return the book, no questions asked.

    Why Johns Hopkins?



    © 2008 MediZine LLC. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us
    customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com