"The Health You Deserve" Email Newsletter Issue No. 23 - September 2002

Are You AT RISK for Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and ranks as the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among North Americans. Only lung cancer is more common in terms of the number of cancer deaths. As people become aware of it, and more cases are detected, the incidences and figures will increase.

There are a number of studies looking at the incidence of colon cancer on a world-wide basis comparing different populations in the western, highly industrialized populations like Canada to poorly industrialized populations such as northern or western Africa. Study results show that in non-industrialized areas, where people have diets that are not refined, are high in fiber, and consist of small amounts of animal fat and protein, there is a very low occurrence of colon cancer. On the other hand, the typical North American diet (very highly refined and high in animal fat and protein and low in fiber) is highly correlated to colon cancer.

For unknown reasons, colon cancer has remained stable in terms of incidence. Cancer of the pancreas has been increasing in frequency and I believe this is due to over-processing of food. The incidence of stomach cancer in women has greatly increased because more women are smoking. There are a number of studies looking at population groups to determine what factors set each group apart from the other. Various studies have demonstrated that when people from a very poorly industrialized country, such as rural Japan migrate to western countries, the incidence of cancer in the migrating population greatly increases as compared to the cancer rates in the original Japanese population. It is believed to be primarily due to the change in the diet and the above noted factors.

Various components of the diet have been investigated. Fiber is a generic term which includes a variety of substances which cannot be broken down by the body. Fiber may modify the environment of the colon by changing the bacterial populations or by binding the breakdown products of fat metabolism and protein metabolism. Various studies show that cancer can be caused by a number of chemicals. If the fiber content and the bacterial content if the diet is changed, then you can reduce the chance of a cancer being generated from these chemicals.

There are believed to be various co-carcinogens which are cancer-supporting agents or carcinogens which, by themselves, are cancer creating. Meat and sugar are two such agents.

Dr. John Burg of the National Cancer Institute reported at the American Cancer Society Conference that heavy beef consumption is related to incidence of cancer of the colon and rectum. Dr. Ernest Winder, President of the American Health Foundation, felt that beef (also eggs and dairy products and foods containing saturated fats) should be incriminated as cancer promoting.

A low protein and non-processed diet is the best immunity for cancer. The American Cancer Society states that colon cancer is the number one cancer for both men and women in America. This is no coincidence. The average diet is comprised of 40 to 50% fat. The more fat you eat, the more the liver produces bile acids which are secreted into the digestive system to help break down the fats. The liver produces a chemical combination called bile. This chemical is stored in the gall bladder until needed. 

It has been shown that people with a low fiber, high fat diet retain bile acids in the large intestine. This causes a bacterial splitting action on the bile acids, changing them into a cancer-causing chemical called 3-methyl-cholanthrene. The sooner these bile acids and bad bacteria are removed, the less chance of carcinogens forming in the colon. The fiber content of the diet has a direct relationship on transit time, stool weight, and bile acid degradation. Fiber decreases contact of carcinogens in the digestive tract, preventing them from attacking the mucosal wall.

Cancer strikes 3 out of every 4 families!!

Colon cancer is a disease that usually attacks later in life, (usually after the age of 40), as does diverticulosis and Hiatal hernias. Colon cancer does not strike vegetarians as much as meat eaters due to the increased fiber and decreased animal fat in vegetarians' diets.

One of the products created for the breakdown of protein in the digestive tract is ammonia. The more protein you put in, the more ammonia is created to break it down. Ammonia, in large amounts, can and will cause cancer. According to Dr. Willard Visek, professor of clinical sciences at the University of Illinois Medical School, people with cancer have high levels of ammonia.

Excessive protein intake is known to cause tumors. Epithelial tumors are 100 times greater in the large intestine than in the small intestine - even though the mucosal area of the small intestine is 100 times greater than the large intestine. Except for the skin, the large bowel tends to have more tumors than any other part of the body.

Most tumors, benign or malignant, are found in the beginning of the ascending colon and the cecum sigmoid region. This is due to the prolonged contact of feces with the mucosal wall. Tumors will lodge in the weakest link in the body. The primary cause is toxemia. Other factors are scar tissue build up, a severe blow, and persistent irritation, and smoke inhalation.

Professor Aviles (Biochemistry), of Cancer Department, Guadalajara, Mexico) states that, out of 7,715 cancer patients, 99% suffered from constipation. 

Potassium Link

Cancer can be triggered by a potassium deficiency in the blood and tissues, due to a potassium-deficient diet.

Potassium-rich foods include: 

• Nuts 

• Spinach 

• Black Strap Molasses 

• Oats 

• Figs 

• Lettuce 

• Lentils 

• Mint 

• Blackberries

Women and Cancer

For women around the age of 50, the risk of colon cancer after menopause is estimated at 1 out of 25. Prior to menopause, a woman's monthly period has been a toxic release valve that is no longer there.

The good intestinal bacteria is known to have a neutralizing effect on estrogen and on the bile salts, which are secreted into the digestive tract from the liver. When constipation sets in, the good bacteria count becomes depleted and the estrogen is allowed to be reabsorbed into the system. The estrogen leak is a main factor in breast cancer. 

One study shows that women who had at least one or more bowel movements a day had only a 5.1% incidence of breast cancer, compared to 23% among those who had movements every third day or more.

Support for Breast Cancer

It is important to cleanse the colon and liver, improve the diet, and supply all the nutritional elements to fight the cancer. If the body is full of poison, the growth of cancer will be enhanced. Do everything to purify the blood stream and detoxify the colon. The main treatment is colon and liver detoxification. The definition of "mutilation" (masectomy) is - "unnecessary surgery".

Different age groups have different risk factors. As you reach over 40 years of age, the risk begins to increase. Various populations are at different risks. For example, if someone had a polyp removed or had colon cancer, his risk is higher than someone who has not had either of these. If someone has a history of colon polyps or colon cancer in his family, that person is at risk. A family history of breast cancer or general cancer puts one at an increased risk. If someone has ulcered colitis, he/she would be predisposed to bowel disease, especially if it involves the entire colon.

Three males to every two females have cancer of the colon and rectum. It occurs mostly in those people over 50 years of age, but it is important to note that the creation of the colon cancer starts long before this time. The conditions (in your body) that create colon cancer are present for many years before the actual symptoms are visible or felt. An overly acidic diet contributes greatly to these poor conditions that promote growth of cancer cells.

16% of colon cancers occur in the cecum and ascending colon (1 & 2). This is where fermentation of food residue by bacteria occurs. The ascending colon absorbs water from food waste. 5% of colon cancers occur in the transverse colon (3), which transports waste across to the descending colon. 9% of colon cancers occur in the descending colon (4), which stores and expels solid waste and absorbs the remainder of the water. The sigmoid colon (5) stores solid waste, bacteria, and intestinal gas prior to expulsion.  50% of all colon cancers occur in the rectum (6). The rectum is the passageway for poisons and waste excretion from the body. It also signals the need for a bowel movement.

Two thirds of all colon cancers are within the reach of a finger.

Symptoms of colon cancer can include: 

• change in bowel habits 

• blood in stool 

• cramp-like abdominal pain 

• short bouts of diarrhea 

• jet-black stool 

• coffee ground-like stool, and 

• sudden increase or decrease in weight.

There are a variety of specific symptoms but what the client usually complains of is belly pains. None of these symptoms specifically indicate colon cancer. The most common symptom is bleeding which can be seen with the naked eye, or microscopically by way of chemically treated stool. People who have had no constipation for years and who suddenly develop constipation have to be highly suspected. Those who have had constipation fairly regularly that has been easy to manage, but have suddenly increased their intake of laxatives, must also be suspected.

Disease is caused by poor quality, chemical-laden food over a long period of time. Just as food makes a healthy body, food can also make a diseased one. When the balance of the body is upset nutritionally, many diseases can develop, factors must be changed. Also sufficient oxygen must reach the cells. Maintaining a good supply of green vegetables give you the chlorophyll you need and this chlorophyll becomes the hemoglobin in the body. Iron, the most important component of red blood globules, holds the oxygen in the blood cell. If the cancer cells get enough oxygen, they will change back to normal cells.

People with cancer of the intestines have great deal of difficulty digesting and therefore cancer clients should not overeat. What they do eat should be full of elements that will feed and heal the body. Overeating inhibits the healing process.

When an abdomen hangs down over the waistline, it pulls organs away from the heart. This person is not so much prone to heart attack but has a high risk for colon cancer.

It is not normal to have debris in the rectum. The only time there should be debris in the rectum is when it is being propelled through on its passage from the sigmoid. Constant debris in the rectum will lead to cancer or increase the chance of cancer. It is interesting to note that the intestinal bacterial called e-coli produces a substance called ethionine, which has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Yellow corn fuzzies form in the colon, possibly indicating a pre-cancerous state. They vary from a corn shape to a puffball shape, turn from amber to white and get black feelers, which are known to be parasites. They may show up as a black sand in the iris of the eye.

Foods That Help Fight Cancer

Cruciferous vegetables will aid in the fight against cancer. These are: cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, collards, radishes, horseradish, turnips and kohlrabi. Beta-Carotene is also known as an anti-cancer vitamin. It is found in carrots, sweet potatoes, dark green vegetables, orange vegetables and orange fruits, if fresh.

Edible seeds, corn, brown rice and beans have a substance known as protease, which helps guard against cancer growths.

Post Operative

Radiation Therapy and Chemo Therapy: During these two treatments, anything to build up the immune system would be helpful. After therapy - or whenever needed - soak for forty-five minutes in a tub of warm water containing three pounds of Epsom salts and one pound of baking soda.

Your large intestine (colon)
is the sewer system of the body.
Don't let it become a cesspool.
Be aware of the Warning Signs ...
be proactive...
and take action… now!!