Thought a digestive disorder, a man with a common incurable disease, the doctor showed how to prevent it

Common diseases have great causes due to diet, living activities

Appearing with abdominal pain, or having bowel movements, Mr. T. (46 years old) thought he had a digestive disorder due to his diet. He went to a drug store near his house to buy digestive enzymes and intestinal antibiotics to drink.

But the “digestive disorder” as he thought did not improve. This situation lasted for a month, leading to fatigue, accompanied by signs of weight loss.

Arriving at the hospital, the man was dumbfounded when the doctor informed him that he had terminal colorectal cancer, the most common disease in the world and in Vietnam.

According to Dr. Nguyen Tien Quang, K Central Hospital, colorectal cancer is currently ranked 5th among the most common cancers in Vietnam, behind liver cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer and breast cancer. .

It is forecasted that by 2025, colorectal cancer will rise to second place in men and fourth in women. The reason why colorectal cancer in our country as well as many developing countries has increased rapidly, according to Dr. Tien Quang, is directly related to lifestyle and diet.

People are gradually adapting to the modern lifestyle, in which obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high consumption of red meat, less fruits and vegetables, high fat intake, fast food, drinking a lot of alcohol, and smoking … are risk factors for increased morbidity.

In particular, an unhealthy diet is one of the risk factors that increase the incidence of colorectal cancer. Evidence shows that 57% of adults in our country eat less vegetables and fruits than WHO recommends while eating a lot of meat.

Eating a lot of red meat, drinking a lot of alcohol is one of the causes of colorectal cancer

In addition, half of men drink at dangerous levels. The rate of obese people also increased rapidly from 12% in 2010 to 17.5% in 2015. Vietnam is also in the group of 15 countries with the highest number of smokers in the world.

Dr. Dr. Tien Quang also informed that colorectal cancer can be prevented and detected early. In the early stages, the 5-year survival rate is up to 90%. However, only less than 10% of patients diagnosed at the late stage live more than 5 years.

BS. Doan Thu Hong, Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, said that people can still prevent this colorectal cancer with a reasonable diet.

Accordingly, choosing foods wisely will help you reduce the risk of this type of cancer. Studies have shown that people who have a scientific diet combined with exercise, have a reasonable weight and limit alcohol can reduce the risk of disease by more than one third.

In addition, whole grains are packed with nutrients and are a great source of magnesium and fiber. These substances make stools easier to pass, and along the way, they can drag cancer-causing compounds in your colon. Eating about 90-grams of whole grains a day such as oats, whole-wheat bread and brown rice are very good choices.

Still according to Dr. Hong, legumes such as soybeans, peas and lentils all contain fiber, protein, vitamins B and E – they also contain compounds called flavonoids, which help prevent tumor growth, as well as a Several antioxidant compounds may help protect you from colon cancer.

“Try to change some common dishes in your meal to black beans or cook a hot bean soup right now to limit this disease,” said Dr. Hong.

Studies also show that colorful fruits and vegetables – also reduce colorectal cancer. Accordingly, in fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals that help prevent the growth of cancer cells or fight inflammation that can cause cancer.

Studies link the anti-cancer effects of fruits and vegetables together and encourage us to include them as part of a healthy diet. The best choices for you are cauliflower, cabbage, and vitamin C-rich fruits like oranges.

What foods should be limited?

Nutritionist Doan Thu Hong also emphasized that fatty fish such as salmon are rich in omega 3 fatty acids – a nutrient that is great for heart health and slows the growth of cancer cells.

But whether eating fish can help you avoid colorectal cancer is still unclear, with some studies showing that people who eat fish instead of red meat are less likely to develop colorectal cancer. than.

However, certain types of fish should be limited, such as swordfish, tuna, tilefish, shark and king mackerel, as they can contain mercury and other pollutants that can be harmful to your health. time.

“A steak may tickle your taste buds, but it’s not a good meal for your colon. Experts say a regular diet of red meat, such as beef, pork, and lamb, may put you at greater risk of colorectal cancer, although the causes are unclear. It is possible that carcinogens in meat will be formed when meat is cooked at high temperatures. Try to eat less than 500g of red meat for the whole week.

Meats such as smoked, processed, salted or chemically preserved meats are commonly referred to as processed meats. They can be hot dogs, bacon, ham or pre-packaged processed meat… When eating these meats regularly can increase your risk of colon cancer and also stomach cancer for you.” BS Hong emphasized.

Occasional drinking is unlikely to affect your risk of colon cancer. However, Dr. Hong warns that if you drink moderate or heavy alcohol with about 2-3 drinks a day, it can increase your risk of colon cancer by 20% and with heavier alcohol by 40%. If you regularly drink more than 3 drinks a day, see your doctor for a colorectal cancer screening.

N. Huyen