Colon Cancer: What You Need To Know
March is colon cancer awareness month, so the team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers wants people to be mindful of the risks associated with developing the disease, including consumption of fructose and sugars.
According to a new study cited by the National Cancer Institute, higher consumption of fructose, a common sweetener showed weight gains that increased the likelihood of tumors presenting. Conducted largely in mice, the study, which was published in Nature discovered that large amounts of fructose, found in table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup in drinks such as sodas, increased how long cancer and normal cells in the intestines survive. The study showed that the longer cells survive, the more nutrients ingested ended up getting absorbed. This process leads to weight gain, as these materials normally move through and then out of the body. For mice in the study prone to cancer, the increased weight led to the development of more tumors, as well as anemia, which increases as tumors appear.
Excessive weight gain is troublesome for many body functions and has been known to increase risks for many illnesses, including cancer. An excessive amount of sugar may increase the size and aggressiveness of colorectal tumors. While not all tumors are cancerous, seeing what happens when fructose is consumed in excess, Comprehensive physicians, see benefits in cutting consumption of the additive. This belief is backed up by the study, which showed reduced uptake sweetener by the body’s cells could prevent growth of tumors.
Another factor discovered in the study was when the mice being tracked were also given a high-fat diet, in addition to excess fructose consumption, they gained much more weight than the mice who were only fed a high-fat diet. This data shows how foods and additives are interrelated and can have compound effects when ingested in combination.
Also, with mouse intestinal cells, researchers discovered adding fructose to colorectal cancer cells, they can grow in a low-oxygen environment. While it didn’t increase the rate at which they grew, it helped cells survive longer than cells where fructose wasn’t added. The longer tumors stick around in the body, the risk of them becoming cancerous can increase. This is a primary reason Comprehensive recommends men and women get proactive with cancer screenings, including having age or family history-appropriate colonoscopies to look for tumors.
Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines
Not sure about whether or not you need a colonoscopy? Here is what the team at Comprehensive recommends, based on current science. The following are age-specific recommendations for testing, accompanied by brief notes for added clarity:
- Age 21: Testing may be recommended if you have higher than average risk of colon cancer
- Age 45-75: People at average risk (are in good health and with a life expectancy of more than 10 years) should continue regular colorectal cancer screenings
- Age 76-85: The decision to be screened should be based on patient preference, life expectancy, overall health, and prior screening history
- Age 86 and over: Should no longer get colorectal cancer screening
For those with high risk factors for colon cancer, people who are at an increased or higher risk for colorectal cancer might need to start screening before the age of 45, and screened more often, and/or get specific tests. Screening guidelines include:
- Personal history or a strong family history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps
- Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
- A known family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (also known as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC)
- A personal history of radiation to the abdomen (belly) or pelvic area to treat prior cancer
Stool-Based Tests for Colon Cancer Recommendations:
- Highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
- Highly sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every year
- Multi-targeted stool DNA test (mt-sDNA) every 3 years
Visual (structural) Exams of the Colon & Rectum Recommendations:
- Colonoscopy every 10 years for average risk; more frequent based on personal and family history or if pathology identified
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years; more frequently if pathology identified
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) every 5 years; more frequently if pathology identified
The scientists behind research into fructose in mince plans a follow-up study to more closely understand the risks of excessive consumption of fructose in humans. There are differing opinions and research outcomes regarding human consumption of the additive, and its effect on cancer risks. However, any time you can make simple changes to ensure risks are reduced, it’s good to be on the safe side.
Some easy ways to cut down fructose consumptions includes decreasing the consumptions of soda and sports drinks. Swapping them out with water, iced tea and other drinks that can offer the same, if not better, relief from thirst, while reducing calories. It’s also important to check labels for food, as even some ‘healthy,’ or organic foods can have unexpectedly high levels of sugars in them. Comprehensive’s recipes blog offers regularly updated options for better eating, with sacrificing flavor.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for colon cancer including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and clinical research. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, please call 702-952-3350.
The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
