Colon cancer survivors who follow a Western diet are more likely to have a recurrence than survivors who follow a prudent diet, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. What's the difference between a Western diet and a "prudent" one, and how much impact can it have on colon cancer recurrence?
Western Diet versus Prudent Diet
According to the study, a Western diet contains a lot of meat, fat, refined grains, and sweets. A "prudent" diet, on the other hand, is centered around fruits, vegetables, poultry, and fish.
Impact of Diet on Colon Cancer Recurrence
Over a five-year period, the researchers tracked about 1,000 stage 3 colon cancer survivors who had been treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Those who followed a Western diet were more than three times as likely to have a recurrence than those who followed a prudent diet.
What Does This Mean to You?
A common question colon cancer survivors ask is, "What can I do to reduce my risk of recurrence?" I certainly asked myself that question (and still do) with respect to my tumor. Dealing with its occurrence was hard enough; the thought of a second round tends to border on incomprehensible. If you're looking for ways to decrease your risk of recurrence (or a loved one's risk), this study may help you decipher the best path with respect to dietary choices.
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Source: Meyerhardt, J. and Niedzwiecki, D. "Association of Dietary Patterns With Cancer Recurrence and Survival in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer." Journal of the American Medical Association (15 Aug. 2007): 754-764. Accessed 19 Aug. 2007 [http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/298/7/754].
