What’s a good diet for a colon cancer patient?

6 Comments

1. Leeuh Muhree says:

   July 30, 2009 at 11:28 am

   All of this advice depends on the person’s health status. For example, does he/she have trouble eating, are they undergoing treatment of any kind that can cause certain side effects and affect the way they eat, are they physically active (THEY SHOULD BE), etc. I’ll put stars (*) next to ones that may change depending on the persons health status.

   Avoid:
   1. Alcohol(NONE)
   2. Smoking(NONE)
   *3. High fat diets(might change if there is a lot of weight loss)
   4. High saturated fats
   5. Trans fatty acids(look at ingredients on food label, if it says "partially hydrogenated _____ oil" then it has trans fat in it, regardless of what the box might say)
   *6. High calorie intake(unless a lot of weight loss is seen as a result of treatment)
   7. Spicy foods
   8. Processed foods

   Eat(according to my diet therapy class)
   1. A lot of fruits and veggies(for vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E which is an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage and vitamin A which promotes a healthy immune system and is essential for the growth and development of cells)
   *2. Enough fiber (according to mayoclinic.com recommended fiber intake for women is 21 to 25 grams a day and for men is 30 to 38 grams a day, amount can depend on if there are episodes of constipation, diarrhea, or inflammation)

   Sources of vitamin E:
   Vegetable oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables, avocados, wheat germ, and whole grains

   Sources of vitamin A:
   milk, eggs, liver, fortified cereals, darkly colored orange or green vegetables (such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and kale), and orange fruits such as cantaloupe, apricots, peaches, papayas, and mangos

   Sources of fiber:
   there are cereals that give plenty of fiber (Fiber One, regular Raisin Bran), http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fiber-foods/NU00582 also gives a lot of examples

   Ways to reduce fat intake:
   eating less red meat, removing the skin from poultry, and avoid fried foods, use reduced fat margarine and salad dressings

   If you ever experience diarrhea(loose stool for 3 days):
   eat low fiber, may try soluble fiber (oats, barley, fruit pectins), replace fluids, electrolytes, follow the BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast)

   If you ever experience constipation(no bowel movement for 3 days):
   high fiber, insoluble fiber (bran, skins and stalks of fruit and veggies), increase fluids, prune juice, coffee, fat in foods

   I hope all of this helps. It’s all (with the exception of mayoclinic info) from my diet therapy class that I took this past semester and was taught by a RD.
2. Tessa says:

   July 30, 2009 at 11:28 am

   I’m not positive- but I’m guessing a diet high in fiber and antioxidants.

   I would also suggest becoming a vegetarian, meat is hard on you colon.

   Good luck!
3. complex says:

   July 30, 2009 at 11:28 am

   To properly address your question you would need to edit/add information for those who may answer regarding what point in cancer treatment you are at right now. It makes a significant difference in what you should eat. Also, your doctor should have given you a booklet listing the foods you are allowed to eat and the ones to avoid. The ACS also has booklets on the subject. They will send them to you for free.
4. Brian Hildebrandt says:

   August 3, 2009 at 11:42 pm

   A diet low in fat, red meat, processed meat, and alcohol, and high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables have been proven to aid colon cancer.
   .-= Brian Hildebrandt´s last blog ..Jul 19, PSA test results, PSA readings, and PSA score. =-.
5. brian from comment says:

   September 7, 2009 at 10:57 am

   Can you give me some foods that help fight it and some foods we should avoid. Thanks.
   Well my brother-in-law is currently battling stage 4 colon cancer and is on chemotherapy. He has loss of appetite, dry mouth, nausau, and vomiting.
6. cris says:

   February 21, 2011 at 10:40 am

   Hi,

   I have a relative which has been diagnosed with a colon cancer stage 4 just recently. We just wanted to know what are the food that is good for our patient to eat so we can prolong his life. Can you give us some list of food that we can give him? We are getting confused now, as per his doctor’s advised we are not allowed to give him apple or bananas and avoid red meats. I’ve been reading some article and it says that colon cancer patient should take fruits & vegetables that is rich in fiber,right??