President Reagan’s recent surgery has brought National attention to a problem that affects millions of Americans. Our leaders know that the President was recently operated for malignant polyp of colon. Recent surveys indicate that cancer of colon of rectum is one of the most common cancer in this country and a major concern in U.S. population.

Hundreds of such operations, like that of the president, are performed daily. It is a medical fact that if colorectal (cancer of colon of rectum) cancer is detected early, it could be virtually wiped out as a cause of death. In fact, American Cancer Society recently estimated that 75% of the people, who will die of colorectal cancer this year, could have been saved, had they been tested for early warning signals. Tragically, in its earliest stages you can’t see or feel this horrible illness.

The research continues to find the causes of cancer of colon and rectum. It has become clear now that this problem may be due in large part to the age in which an individual lives and the high level of highly processed food Americans eat. Certain individuals are more at risk of suffering from this type of cancer than others. Here are 4 simple questions (as advised by American Cancer Society) that you should ask yourself to determine whether you are at colorector risk!

  1. Your age: Colorectal cancer is generally associated with advanced age and most patients are generally over the age of 40. Male and females suffer equally from this deadly disease.
  2. Your diet: Is your diet rich in fats? Does your diet consist of fried foods, whole milk and cheese, fatty meats, like pork, beef and lamb?
  3. Your family history: Is there anybody in your family who has suffered in the past from colorectal cancer, Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis, polyps or Gardners syndrome? Strong family history indicates that you may be at higher risk for suffering from this cancer.

4, Your medical checkup: Has it been more than a year since you had one of these tests? Digital Examination, Procto sigmoidoscopy, Guaiac test for hidden blood in stools? Fiber optic colonoscopy Or 4 Barium Enema with air contrast examination.

If two or more questions are answered in “yes” then you may be at potential risk. Consult your physician. Simple hematest or Guaiac test which can be done in an outpatient clinic can detect hidden bleeding which otherwise may not be visible. It takes only a few minutes to perform this test. Early warning test kit can also be used by an individual even without the help of a professional to detect hidden blood in the stools.

But there is something else also which you can do yourself to prevent this otherwise deadly condition. In recent years, researchers have found that adding natural fibre to the diet causes digested food to move faster through the large intestine. In addition it appears from the scientific investigations that unless there is a natural fibre in the food, elimination is not only quicker but more complete also. It acts as a laxative and is helpful to relieve constipation. If you think that you eat highly processed diet, then it is recommended that you should use bran which is available in its raw form at most of the health food stores. It is very cheap to buy. One or two tablespoonsful of bran a day mixed in either juice or yogurt is enough for taking care of various alimentary problems.

 

There is no guarantee that taking a tablespoon of bran daily is going to protect you completely against problems of large intestine. But enough research has been conducted to prove that bran and the fibers found in whole fresh fruits and vegetables tend to make for a generally healthier large intestine colon and rectum and thus protecting it against various cancerous conditions.

Article extracted from this publication >>  August 16, 1985