Patients always ask what they can do. Well, there is a lot they can do to reduce the risk for tumor recurring after successful surgeries.
Recent studies have clearly shown that diet is directly associated with the risk of tumor recurrence. People who eat primarily a Western diet are significantly at higher risk than those patients whose diet has less red meat, processed sugar, desserts, and French fries. You can change your diet and reduce your risk of tumor recurrence.
You can change not only what you eat, but also how much you exercise. Daily exercise, such as walking for one hour, can reduce your risk by 50 percent — more than any chemotherapy can. For patients who are obese, weight loss will not only reduce risk for diabetes or heart disease but also decrease your risk of colon cancer.
Exercise, diet, and weight loss go along with significant changes in your body. Our immune response and reaction to stress, response to inflammation and tumor will all change the better shape our bodies are in. Every environmental change will impact the biology in our bodies. We need to strengthen our bodies to fight off the cancer. These studies show clearly that diet and exercise can easily do that.
Other data also show that taking aspirin every day can reduce the risk also by 50 percent.
All this is in your power. Please discuss these with your oncologist. In my own practice we stress the point of weight loss and exercise as well as diet.
To collect all this information I set up my blogs (go and check out the former blogs on Revolution Health). I did not want to stress out my patients writing down all this information for them, so I created these blogs where that they can go to anytime and check out what to eat, what exercise to do, what supplements may help,whether to drink alcohol or not, whether to have sex or not . . .
January 23, 2009 at 8:09 am, Jennifer Rose said:
Thank you for your page. I am currently trying to get rid of the inflamtion in the colon with mesalamine enemas. Is this the most effective way to get rid of inflamation? I had two ademeomatas removed.
I’ll try to lose some weight.
Yours is the only sight that says anything about diet.
thanks you .
jennifer
January 23, 2009 at 11:32 am, Heinz-Josef Lenz said:
if you have inflammation treated with mesalamine your doc consider inflammatory bowl disease, you should have a consult with a dietitian to review food particular for patients with your condidion. HJL
January 26, 2009 at 8:44 pm, Jacqueline Getz said:
I was wondering about the chemo that is done after surgeries. My oncologist has recommended 6 months, and we started with the FOLFOX Leucovorin cocktail, but after the 4 dose I had a reaction and was determined to be hyper-sensitive to the meds, and they couldn’t find anything that wouldn’t make me sick while I was undergoing my treatments. So, we’re not going to begin Xeloda. I used this in the very beginning to reduce the tumor I had along w/Radiation. It worked, but do I need to do 6 months of this med.? The got all the cancer out of me and I did 6 weeks of Xeloda with the radiation and it completely reduced my turmor. I could see a couple of months, but 6 seems to be overkill.
January 26, 2009 at 8:54 pm, Jacqueline Getz said:
I would also like to know how we, colorectal cancer pt.s are supposed to obtain a “green” diet, when following this type of surgery your colon will not hold this type of food, of course unless you like living on the commode all the time. Every Dr., Nutritionist I speak to all say the same thing. Eat what works for you now, things will get better. But, if we can’t eat raw fruits and vegetables and those foods that contain what we need, then how are we going to get what we need? I’m really frustrate. I can’t eat any fruit except applesause and bananas. I eat raw fruits and veggies, I get diarrhea regardless of whether I’m taking Lomotil or Imodium. It’s been 5 months since I had my colon reconnected and I still can’t eat fresh fruits and veggies without have a massive increase in my bowel protocol. Metamucil does nothing for me. Can you gvie me a “clue”? I’m tired of not being able to eat the really good foods I enjoyed before I had this stupid cancer.
January 26, 2009 at 10:53 pm, Heinz-Josef Lenz said:
if you had xeloda and radiation prior to surgery you only need 4 months of chemo. usually FOLFOX is the best one, if you can tolerate oxaliplatin? you can use xeloda alone which is very well tolerate.
under chemotherapy eat what you can, but after chemo going back to the old routine should be replaced by healthier diet and excercise. HJL
January 26, 2009 at 10:55 pm, Heinz-Josef Lenz said:
also dont get frustrated rectal surgeries are not easy and it takes a long time to get normal BMs…..urgenciens and frequencies only improve slowly on a monthly not weekly basis. IT WILL GET BETTER…….HJL
January 28, 2009 at 12:26 pm, What Is The Treatment For Colon Cancer - Chemotherapy Treatments For Colon Cancer said:
[...] be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left. Diet, Exercise, and Obesity- Colorectal Cancer Coalition Daily exercise, such as walking for one hour, can reduce your risk by 50 percent — more than [...]
February 04, 2009 at 2:38 am, Susan said:
Hello Dr. Lenz,
As a person that was diagnosed with rectal cancer and under went chemo/radiation/surgery, I’ve tried to eat a clean, whole foods diet full of raw fruits and vegetables. The process of trying to do this has caused a lot of issues with my GI system. I’ve tried so many things; vitamins, supplements, digestive enzymes and a lot of fiber. Nothing worked. 3 months ago I came across a natural product made of whole foods; 17 fruits, vegetables in a capsule, called Juice Plus. It has made a significant difference for me. Within a week my bowels were 75% back to normal, got rid of my bloating, and significantly reduce the urge/frequency of bowel movements. I also had increased energy. I’ve been so impressed with the product that I even got involved with the company. I don’t care where people buy it, but I just think it is something others might want to consider trying. It’s worked so well for me. Here is a website for more information on the product. http://www.swaymirejuiceplus.com
Thanks for all you do!
February 04, 2009 at 10:47 am, Heinz-Josef Lenz said:
Thanks susan for sharing with us your experience, it is important to note that some of these diet suggestions may work very well for some and not for other it is important to try out different approaches since the reason for the urgency and frequencies may vary among the patients. HJL
February 05, 2009 at 4:28 pm, Kate Murphy said:
Comments like Susan’s worry me. While her personal experience may have led her to become a distributor of JuicePlus capsules, she is not a health professional and the website she is sending you to is selling a product that the site itself says does not claim to treat or cure any disease.
Ordering through that website benefits Susan. She is an independent distributor of the product.
JuicePlus+ is not a juice, but capsules containing some of the chemicals in fruits and vegetables.
When you eat fruits and vegetables you get more than some of the nutrients within them. You get a synergistic balance of nutrients, and you also get the fiber than helps us maintain bowel control and avoid diarrhea or constipation. That’s why the American Institute for Cancer Research recommends that we get our nutrients from eating fruits and vegetables, not from supplements.
Reviewing JuicePlus+ the clinical nutritionists at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center said, “While Juice Plus+ may contain some of the same nutrients as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole foods are a better and more natural way to receive the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fiber that the body needs.”
Always tell your oncologist what dietary supplements you are taking during chemotherapy treatment. There is some evidence that antioxidants like those in JuicePlus+ protect cancer cells and keep them from being destroyed by chemo.
March 20, 2009 at 11:00 am, Pauline said:
I was diagnosed with cancer on April 14, 2008. After 3 months of chemo (5FU) and radiation, I had surgery on Sept. 5. Many complications, had to have an ileostomy that was reversed on Oct. 24. Now since Jan. 2009 I am of Flofox and tolerating it well.
My problem is that I have up to 10 Bms a day and that is when I take 3 tsp of Metamucil twice a day. There are many foods that I can’t eat, such as raw fruit and vegetables, spicy foods, fried meats.
I hope to go back to work in Sept. but wish to start exercising in June to build up my stamina. Any suggestions on which exercise would be best? I have access to a gym and could access a physiotherapist, through the Cancer Clinic. I have other medical problems that impede exercise, such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
that you for this site.
March 20, 2009 at 11:13 am, Heinz-Josef Lenz said:
Pauline, to give you a specific exercise plan is impossible not knowing you and your limitations, however in general excercise is helpful, talk to you doctor, there are even special exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor if this is part of the problem. However please be patient, after these surgeries it takes quite a while to improve but it will, the process is slow, if you see an improvement on a monthly basis that is perfect….dont expect on a weekly. it will get better.
March 23, 2009 at 3:09 am, Catherine R. Cherrix said:
I just don’t know who to turn to. I need to know the proper foods and exercises to tighten my body and bowel. I had colorectal surgery 2 years ago. Have gained 30 lbs. Spend a lot of each day running for the bathroom. I need to tighten up my body. What exercises can I take?
Please help me. Thank you.
March 23, 2009 at 10:23 am, Heinz-Josef Lenz said:
Catherine, as you can imagine not knowing the details of your symptoms, surgery and lab results you need to consult with your nutrionists and colorectal surgeon to come up with a plan on diet and exercise. sorry cant be more specific. HJL
March 30, 2009 at 5:26 pm, Ro Bolden said:
I have been diagonized with colon cancer stage 4. Had surgery, lost a lot of weight. Started chemo with Xeloda, Oxiplatin and Avastin. Had to quit the Oxi. Been during chemo since about Oct 07. Have been during ct scans but my last 2 scans on one I fainted and the other one I broke out with hives. This last ct scan showed another mass where my colon was resected. Taking me off the trial study. But want to put me on another trial study. Now trying to decide if I want to go on another trial Study. I have just started exercising about a month now even though I was told not to because of the neutropenia. I am trying to eat right. But all I was told was eat what ever I can. Now I am being told that I need to lose weight. I was never told what I should eat. What I could do to help me. Its frustrating and I can not seem to be able to find any answers. This is the first place I have seen that told me about exercise and diet. I am confused. Thank you for letting me express my feelings. And if there is any information you can give me like exercise, diet (what to eat, what will help) we would greatly appreciate it.
March 30, 2009 at 5:36 pm, Heinz-Josef Lenz said:
Mr Bolden, the web is full of confusion and many doctors have different approaches. I think it is critical to do exercise and eat right. but the level of exercise is important, i usually recommend my patients to do exercise and break a sweat but not to a point of exhaustion which requires hours of recovery that is too much, exercise will help appetite mood and energy level. For diet we uusally recommend healthy food fruit vegetables white meat chicken pork or tofy or soy no red meat or deeply fried foods or unrefined sugars so no sodas……gaining weight with chemo can give the liver a hard time needs to detoxify the chemo and should not be overloaded with fat……HJL
April 01, 2009 at 6:35 pm, Susan said:
I am just wanting to comment to Kate Murphy’s post.
I am most definately NOT a medical professional, nor was I ever claiming to be. I am, however, a rectal cancer survivor, and have suffered the ongoing effects from chemo/rad/surgery. I was NOT trying to sell anybody anything when I suggested Juice Plus. I realize the vulnerability and desperation we, I include myself, feel once we have been challenged with a health crisis…cancer. I simply was trying to share what has worked for me. The past 1 1/2 years has been a process of trying many, many products (supplemens, vitamins, enzymes,fibers, etc.). I am only sharing what has helped me. I would hope others would share what works for them as well. I do sell the product, since I will most likely be on it for life. I do try to eat raw fruits & veggies, knowing that there is absolutely nothing better. However, I find it very difficult, since treatment, to digest well. I found that Juice Plus was the only thing that controls bowel issues and urgency, and continues to work for me. It doesn’t claim to treat or cure cancer or any other diseases. I simply benefit from relief of GI/bowel issues. My website I mentioned is for more information. I don’t care where anyone might purchase the product, if they choose to try it.
Please understand that I am simply sharing my opinion and what has benefited me personally. Every body is different and what works for one person, doesn’t necessarily work for another. My intentions are to offer help, not sell!!
Yes, we all need to communication to our oncologists and other doctors any supplements, etc. we are using.
January 24, 2010 at 5:05 am, Lori Bishop said:
Hi, I am very worried about my husband. We have always lived from month to month and being happy to getting by with just the basics. This past year and a half have been very hard for him, for all of us.I just recentley lost my job that I’ve had for 15 years. There is a lot to say about the beggininng but.. by the time my husband got to a doctor who cared he said “some blood tests NOW” My husbands appendix has been ready to explode. He has been so horribly ill for weeks. His appendix did break and when it did it was full of cancer, which put the colon there by the appendix at risk. He ended up them taking the intestine and part of his colon. He went through the chemo because his doctor said that if this cancer comes back it will come back with a rage. My question to you,to somebody please a doctor would be nice, would a huge amount of pressure and stress make him sick and this cancer comes back but somwhere else? I am going to ask his “cancer”doc but I thouhgt it would be very interesting to hear of different things out there. What others opinions are.
August 15, 2010 at 7:13 am, TUBS said:
My wife had colorectal cancer and it was successful. Her problem is now one of bowel movements. At times she is reasonably okay but she still gets these “dumping” (as we call it) where she will go 6 to 8 times in a very short period. The only noticeable sign of the impending “dumping” is a stomach ache and some time these aches go away. It has been 2 1/2 years since her surgery (preceded by chemo and radiation) and she is still facing these issues which were supposed to get better within 6 mos to a year. We need to ask others with colorectal cancer how they are coping with similar problem and how do they get it under control. Please share your experience with us. Thank you for this blessing to us.
Tubs
August 15, 2010 at 8:53 am, Kate Murphy said:
I assume since your wife had chemo and radiation before surgery that she had rectal cancer. Radiation and surgery can result in long term changes is bowel movements that can last indefinitely.
If this isn’t happening all the time, keeping a diet diary along with info about what bowel movements are like — loose, frequent, “dumping”, abdominal pain, etc. — may help.
Some of us find that eating results in an urgent need to use the bathroom, so we have to be sure that one is nearby and easily accessible. Walking or other exercise can also provoke that sudden and urgent need to go.
Knowing what might trigger your wife’s problems may make it easier for her to cope.
For me greasy food is a trigger. I either have to avoid it, or know where a bathroom is.
If the problem becomes severe enough to interfere with her life, keeping her home or unable to do things she wants to do, talk to a gastroenterologist about diet, fiber supplements, or medicines that may help.