Simple Lifestyle Rules Can Reduce Colon Cancer Recurrence Risk

Colon (large bowel) cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in both men and women and an important cause of cancer death. At diagnosis, %40 of patients have stage 3 disease. The most important treatment at this stage is surgically removing the cancerous colon segment. Patients with stage three colon cancer receive postoperative chemotherapy for 3-6 months. Preventive, or adjuvant chemotherapy reduces recurrence risk at this stage to %20-30. After treatment, patients attend checkups every 3-4 months. The question patients and families most often ask is Doctor, Is There Anything More We Can Do to Prevent Recurrence?

Yes.

The study we will share shows that simple measures after treatment can reduce recurrence risk.

ASCO 2017 Chicagoreported this study involving 992 patients with stage III colon cancer. During and after postoperative preventive chemotherapy, patients following a healthy lifestyle were found in %42 of cases to have lower mortality and less likelihood of recurrence. These findings were striking for us!

Enrolled between 1999-2001, patients with colon cancer receiving preventive chemotherapy were questioned about lifestyle. Adherence to the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) survivor guidelines was scored from 0-6. Zero meant no healthy behaviors, while a score of six meant all healthy behaviors.

Researchers assessed patients according to recommendations on:

• Maintaining healthy body weight,
• Participating in regular physical activity,
• Whole grains,
• A diet rich in vegetables and fruit,
• And low in red and processed meat.
• Alcohol use was also assessed.

Over seven years of follow-up, the healthiest lifestyle scores (5-6 points) in 91 patients were compared with the lowest scores in 262 patients, and higher scores were associated with %42 lower mortality risk and recurrence likelihood. When alcohol was included in the score, results were even better among non-drinkers.

A healthy lifestyle alone cannot replace standard preventive chemotherapy, but implementing healthy living rules during and after chemotherapy reduces recurrence risk by almost %50, a figure that should never be ignored.

Researcher Dr. Hayes says, “Patients with colon cancer should remain optimistic, eat a healthy diet, avoid alcohol and exercise regularly; this not only keeps them healthier but may also reduce the chance of cancer returning.”

As the Oncotrust team, we will continue explaining that healthy living rules always help and it is never too late to start.

Related Topic:

- Colon Cancer Symptoms