Example: A new Harvard analysis of 726,000 people finds no link between colorectal cancer and a lack of fiber from cereals, fruits and vegetables. Your best bets are to see your doctor about screening and:
Restrict red meat, especially cooked well-done, Baron says. In a major study of 478,000 people, those who ate 6 ounces of red and/or processed meat daily were one-third more likely to have colon cancer than those who ate less than 1ounce per day.
Eat fish. On the other hand, people who eat 3 ounces of fish a day have one-third lower risk than those eating 2.5 ounces of fish a week. Poultry had no affect on colon cancer.
Go easy on alcohol. Two drinks a day boost colon cancer risk 16%, and three drinks daily raise it 40%, finds Harvard research.
Eat cruciferous vegetables. Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower have anti-carcinagens.
Get calcium and D. Baron found that 1,200mg a day of calcium carbonate cut the recurrence of polyps (tiny growths that can lead to cancer) by 19% in a four-year test. In other research, 1,000 IU of vitamin D a day cut colon cancer risk 50%.
Watch your weight. Obese it overweight men are 2 ½ times more likely to have colon cancer, according to a new German study.
Copyright 2004 Jean Carper. Printed first in USA Weekend. All rights reserved.
For more information from Jean Carper, go to www.jeancarper.com
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