Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada Blog
Posts tagged Diet & Nutrition
Clinical Research Updates for July
Jul 15th
Did you know that the CCAC has a full-time clinical & Educational Specialist? Along with our Medical Advisory Board, this individual is a vital link between medical research and the many patients who come to our site seeking information about colorectal cancer screening, treatment and prevention. Below, you’ll find a selection of this month’s selected journal article summaries- a gift to you from our Clinical & Educational Specialist! Click here to catch up on previous months’ selected articles.
- Superna Launches Pilot Usage Program for New Oral Mucositis Treatment
- Imprime PGG Improves Survival in KRAS Mutant Colorectal Cancer Patients
- Researchers Test Benefit of Fish Oil in Colorectal Cancer Spread
- Analysis of Xelox v.s. Folfox for Treatment of Colorectal Cancer To Assist Decision Making
- Adjuvant Chemo For Stage II and Stage III Colorectal Cancer – Updated Practice Guidelines
- Genetic Marker May Help with Rectal Cancer Treatment
- Chewing Gum Helpful After Surgery
- Targeted Contrast Agent Reveals Colon Cancer
- Overuse of Screening in the Elderly
- Cancer Survivors Lag in Care for Comorbid Conditions
- Lower Lip Holds Clue to Hereditary Colon Cancer Syndrome
- Folic Acid to Decrease Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Calling all epicureans…
Jun 28th
Do you have a colon-friendly recipe to share? Perhaps something that reaps the benefits of the anti-oxidants in fruit, or a summertime favourite that eschews the carcinogenic effects of the BBQ?
Send your favourite healthy recipe to kaitw@colorectal-cancer.ca, and we’ll feature them on our blog!
Clinical Research Updates for May / June
Jun 27th
Did you know that the CCAC has a full-time clinical & Educational Specialist? Along with our Medical Advisory Board, this individual is a vital link between medical research and the many patients who come to our site seeking information about colorectal cancer screening, treatment and prevention. Below, you’ll find a selection of this month’s selected journal http://premier-pharmacy.com/product/ventolin/ article summaries- a gift to you from our Clinical & Educational Specialist! Click here to catch up on previous months’ selected articles.
- EGFR-Targeted Therapies Like Erbitux & Vectibix Bind to Decoy
- Biothera Initiates Dosing in a Phase III Trial in Colorectal Cancer Patients
- DNA Repair Plays a Role in Colon Cancer Recurrence
- Primary Tumor Response to Preoperative Chemoradiation With or Without Oxaliplatin
- Avastin in First Line Therapy Comparing Folfiri and Xeliri
- Study Shows No Benefit from Adding Erbitux to Standard Chemo
- VEGF-C and VEGF-D Identified as Biomarkers for Avastin Resistance
- Breast Cancer Drug Lapatinib Helpful in Colon Cancer
- Xeloxgem (Xeloda + Oxaliplatin + Gemcitabine) In Second Line Therapy
- Adding Oxaliplatin to 5FU/Leucovorin in Stage II Colon Cancer
- Erbitux + Folfiri As First Line Therapy for MCRC
SURGICAL THERAPIES
- MSI Testing Before Surgery For Young Patients
- Second Surgery for Peritoneal Mets
- Preoperative Radiotherapy Combined with Total Mesorectal Excision For Rectal Cancer
- Prognosis of Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients In the Year Following Surgery
- The Use of Intraoperative Radiotherapy in Colorectal Cancer
- Pretargeted Radio-immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer
- Detecting Polyps in Women
- People with Negative FOBT Might Still Be At Risk for Colorectal Cancer
- Oncotype DX Identifies Those Stage II Patients Who Are At Higher Risk of Recurrence
- Poor Bowel Preps May Miss Polyps
- Trial Participation Possible for Elderly Patients
- Red and Processed Meat, Fibre and Colorectal Cancer
- Reducing Exposure to Carcinogens When Cooking Outdoors
- Eating Yogurt May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk
- Anti-Cancer Grilling Tips
- Colorectal Cancer Risk in Offspring Reduced by Vitamin B in Mom’s Diet
Think before you BBQ (and think beyond the brew!)
May 20th
Victoria Day long weekend is just a few short hours away, so it’s time we grill you on safe BBQ’ing!
Some research show that cooking meat at high temperatures can produce harmful carcinogens that increase your colorectal cancer risk. From one of our former posts on the matter:
When high-protein, high-fat foods like meat are cooked to the point of charring, the large quantities of creatine in the meat’s muscle cells chemically bond with the amino acids of the protein to form heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which have the ability to bond to DNA and cause genetic mutations that can trigger the growth of cancer. Further, the meat’s fat may oxidize, a process that produces compounds like malondialdehyde, which have similar abilities in terms of genetic mutations. Studies do conclude that high consumption of HCAs can be found in colorectal cancer patients.
The good news is that there are ways to reduce the harm while still enjoying the high-heat cooking of BBQ season:
- Overall, base your diet around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes. Eat meat in small quantities, grilled or otherwise
- Cook “low and slow”. Even if two pieces of meat are cooked to the same level, the piece cooked over a lower heat and longer period will contain fewer carcinogenic compounds
- Marinate your meat. This is probably the tastiest tip on the list! Research shows that the use of herbs and spices may inhibit the formation of carcinogenic compounds
- Limit the amount of fat that is allowed to drip onto the grill. Achieve this by using tongs rather than a fork to manipulate the meat, as piercing will cause fat to run out
- Consider lining your barbecue with tinfoil. Be sure to poke some holes so that smoke can escape. When the fat drips, it will avoid touching the hot coals, and will reduce the chances of your meat charring
- Grill up those veggies! Many vegetables can play a delicious role in your afternoon barbecue- try portobello mushrooms, sweet peppers, zuchinni, eggplant and asparagus
And now, what about the beer? A frosty brew may seem like the perfect accompaniment to your Victoria Day spread, but please practice moderation! Beside reducing your risk of impromptu karaoke, some evidence suggests that limiting your alcohol consumption may markedly reduce your colorectal cancer risk.
Clinical Research Updates for April
May 19th
Did you know that the CCAC has a full-time Research & Education Specialist? Along with our Medical Advisory Board, this individual is a vital link between medical research and the many patients who come to our site seeking information about colorectal cancer http://premier-pharmacy.com/ screening, treatment and prevention. Below, you’ll find a selection of this month’s selected journal article summaries. A gift to you from our Research & Education Specialist! Click here to catch up on previous months’ selected articles.
- FDA Approves Fusilev
- Reintroduction of Oxaliplatin in the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal
- Pain Relievers May Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk
- Erbitux in First Line Therapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
- Zaltrap Extends Survival in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
- Drug May Have Utility in Treating Colorectal Cancer
- Prophylactic Drugs Help Prevent Oxaliplatin-Related Nausea and Vomiting
SURGICAL THERAPIES
- Unresectable Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Colorectal Cancer
- Laparoscopic Liver Resection Becoming More Popular
- Liver Resection in Presence of Extrahepatic Disease
- Sentinel Lymph Node Procedure in Colorectal Cancer
- New Test for Colon Cancer Detection
- CT Colonography More Sensitive At Detecting Colorectal Cancer
- Simple Urine Test for Colorectal Cancer
- Interval Colorectal Cancers Increased After Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
- Estrogen Use For a Few Years After Menopause is Safe
- Decision Aid for Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer Considering Chemo
- How Inflammation Can Lead to Cancer
- Vitamin D [25(OH)D] and Colorectal Cancer
- Alcohol and Cancer
- Study Shows No Link Between Folates & Colorectal Cancer
- Office Desk Job Doubles Colon Cancer Risk
- Smokers Diagnosed With Colon Cancer Have Greater Likelihood of Dying
- Eating Anything At Anytime & Risk of Colorectal Cancer
- Thin People Face Colon Cancer Risk As Well
Clinical Research Updates for March
Apr 8th
Did you know that the CCAC has a full-time Research & Education Specialist? Along with our Medical Advisory Board, this individual is a vital link between medical research and the many patients who come to our site seeking information about colorectal cancer screening, treatment and prevention. Below, you’ll find a selection of this month’s selected journal article summaries. A gift to you from our Research & Education Specialist! Click here to catch up on previous months’ selected articles.
- KRAS Mutations Match in Primary Tumour and Liver Mets
- Administering Folfox 6 with Avastin in Non-optimally resectable Liver Mets
- Effect of Simvastatin on Erbitux Resistance with KRAS Mutations
- Addressing the Hypersensitivity to Cold Caused by Oxaliplatin
- Venlafaxine for the Prevention of Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathy
- Stronger Chemo + Immune Boost May Help Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients
- Liver Resection in the Elderly
- Outcomes Are Affected by Recurrence Patterns After Liver Mets Surgery
- Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery in the Elderly
RADIATION / INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY
- Phase III Clinical Trial Using Theraspheres for Liver Mets
- Liver Mets Respond to Radiation Microspheres
- OncoDefender Can Assess Risk of Recurrence in Stage I/II Patients
- Automated Reminder System for Colonoscopy Deemed Effective
- Utilization of Virtual Colonoscopy Triples in the U.S.
- Providing Quality of Life at End of Life Study
- Stress of Cancer Makes it Difficult to Quit Smoking
- No Link Between ABO Blood Group & Risk of Colorectal Cancer
- Link Between Stem Cells and Colorectal Cancer
- CRC Groups Join Together to Offer Clinical Trial Matching in the U.S.
- A New Formula Developed to Help Determine Disease Free Survival
- Gene Discovered to Be Linked to Colorectal Cancer When Folate is Low
Showing off our PSA Contest entries so far- and a slick segue into the health benefits of popcorn
Mar 31st
Make yourself a bowl of air-popped popcorn (see below!) and enjoy a screening of this year’s International Public Service Announcement Contest video entries. Rate the entries at www.ccacpsa.com (and submit your own!) but HURRY- the contest closes at midnight.
We hope there’s still lots of entries to come- there’s prize money $1,500 per category hanging in the balance!
This submission comes from Colon Cancer Alliance in the United States:
And this submission comes from the Jay family in Regina, Saskatchewan:
And a few creative high school students from Ohio gave us this great idea:
CCAC volunteer Nadia Afara brought us this punchy submission:
And this submission by Shawn Ritchie asks us, what’s in your pipes?
This submission by Hari Kapoor hit us hard:
And this submission from Alex Ostroff and friends pushed our buttons:
We were beside ourselves with this submission from Jeff Stevens:
And this submission by Pamela Podzorski and friends had us grooving!
——
The Health Benefits of Popcorn
What movie screening couldn’t be improved by the crunchy satisfaction of popcorn? Well if you’re trying to maintain a healthy weight to reduce your colon cancer risk, order cialis online in usa, you may wish to re-think your movie theatre snacks.
Don’t be tempted by the yellow glow of commercially prepared movie-theatre popcorn:
At Cineplex Entertainment — the largest chain in Canada with 1,328 screens — popcorn is now popped in non-hydrogenated canola oil, second best after air popped at home.
But the popcorn purchased by CSPI researchers weighed more than the company claims. After adjusting the serving size, a small popcorn with no topping had 480 calories.
A large untopped popcorn has 1,120 calories — half a day’s worth for most people, as well as 530 milligrams of sodium.
Health Canada recommends that adults consume less than 20 grams of saturated fat, and about 1,500 mg of sodium in an entire day based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Patrons who opt for five pumps of Becel topping on a large, 20 cup portion at Cineplex add 270 calories and four grams of saturated fat. They get 320 calories and 22 grams of saturated fat with five squirts of Lactantia butter topping.
“Movie theatre popcorn salt, fat get the thumbs down” CBC News, November 2009
But we said we would talk about the health benefits, didn’t we?
Popcorn can be a pretty decent low-calorie, low-fat snack when popped with air instead of oil. It’s naturally high in fibre and it’s sodium-free. Too bad we load the butter and salt on after the fact! Here’s a quick recipe from wholeliving.com that uses less fat and sodium but doesn’t scrimp on the flavour:
- Pop 1/2 cup of kernels in your air-popping machine.
- Stir together 1 1/4 teaspoons chilli powder, 1 1/4 teaspoons cumin, 1 tablespoon of finely-grated lime zest and 1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt.
- While still hot, toss popcorn in spice mixture and sprinkle with lime juice. Voilà!
Don’t start any all-popcorn crash diets any time soon, though- popcorn should still be considered an occasional treat, and fresh fruits & veggies should still be your first-choice snacks.
——
Sources:
The Health Benefits of Yellow Popcorn by livestrong.com’s Nathalie Stein, nutrition consultant
Popcorn, retrieved from Wikipedia on March 9, 2011
Clinical Research Updates for February
Mar 9th
Did you know that the CCAC has a full-time Research & Education Specialist? Along with our Medical Advisory Board, this individual is a vital link between medical research and the many patients who come to our site seeking information about colorectal cancer screening, treatment and prevention. Below, you’ll find a selection of this month’s selected journal article summaries. A gift to you from our Research & Education Specialist! Click here to catch up on previous months’ selected articles.
- New Phase I Study from Lorus Therapeutics
- Gene Discovered Hindering Oxaliplatin Action
- Erbitux Shows Long Term Survival Benefit When Administered with Folfox
- New Phase I/II Trial Initiated for Kras Mutation Patients
- Clinical Trial Involving Tivozanib Yielded Positive Results at ASCO GI
- AVANT Study Finds No Benefit From Avastin in Stage III Colon Cancer
- Chemo Delay Puts Lives at Risk in Colon Cancer
- Phase I Results of ARQ 197 c-MET Inhibitor
- Bone Drugs Reduce Risk of CRC
- Reducing Hypersensitivity Reactions from Oxaliplatin Therapy
- KRAS Mutation May Promote Lung Mets in Patients with Curatively Resected Colorectal Cancer
- IROX Not Superior to Folfiri in First Line Therapy for Advanced Colorectal Cancer
- Avastin Increases the Number of Fatal Events
- Comparing Preoperative and Postoperative Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
- Cure Still Possible with Liver Mets
- Resection of Liver Mets & Survival
- Fast Track Management of Colorectal Surgery
- Palliative Care for Colorectal Obstruction in Patients with Unresectable Metastatic Disease
- Liver Surgeries for the Elderly
RADIATION / INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY
- Response to Radiation Therapy Found to be Linked to a Gene
- OnkoSure by Radient Pharma Undergoing Clinical Trial Phase
- Stage II Colon Cancer Risk Test
- GCC Assay Can Predict Risk of Colon Cancer Recurrence
- Aspirin Boosts Accuracy of FOBT
- Missed Polyps During Colonoscopy Studied
- Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations for First Degree Relatives
- Colorectal Cancer Screening Using Dogs
- Colonoscopy Effective Screening Tool
- Better Communication Urged in Advanced Cancer
- Chemobrain or Chemofog is Real
- Depression, Anxiety and Adjustment Disorder in Cancer
- Anemia May be an Indicator for Colon Cancer
- Online Calculator Tool For CRC Treatment Decisions
- Treating Metastatic Colorectal Cancer- Expert Opinion
- Reduced Inflammation Lowers Colon Cancer Risk
- School Milk Can Help to Prevent Colorectal Cancer
- Obesity & C Reactive Protein Affect Survival After Colon Cancer
- Smoking Can Be a Source of Stress for Cancer Patients
- Vitamin D Linked to Colon Cancer Protection
- Lack of Sleep is Identified as a Risk Factor for CRC
Clinical Research Updates for January
Jan 14th
Did you know that the CCAC has a full-time Research & Education Specialist? Along with our Medical Advisory Board, this individual is a vital link between medical research and the many patients who come to our site seeking information about colorectal cancer screening, treatment and prevention. Below, you’ll find a selection of this month’s selected journal article summaries. A gift to you from our Research & Education Specialist! Click here to catch up on previous months’ selected articles.
- Testing for Kras Mutation is Helpful for Advanced Colorectal Cancer
- Phase III Trial for Davanat Begins
- New U.S. Phase I Study Involving Reolysin Opens
- Evaluating Systemic Therapy for Peritoneal Mets Using PSDSS
- Longer Intervals Between Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation and Rectal Cancer Surgery
- Delaying Chemo After Surgery is Not Beneficial
- Research Highlights Benefits of Colonoscopies
- High Endoscopy Completion Rates Tied to Fewer Missed Colorectal Cancers
- Update Provided on PillCam Colon 2
- Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing Screening
- Canadian Colorectal Cancer Survival Rates Among the Highest
- Mutation Identification Helpful in Treating Colorectal Cancer
- IBD and PSC Patients At Risk for Colorectal Cancer
- High Levels of Blood Folate Linked to Tumor Suppressors
- A Healthy Lifestyle Leads to Less Colorectal Cancer
- Consistent Exercise Can Prevent Colorectal Cancer
- Metabolic Syndrome Linked to Colorectal Cancer
- Calcium Can Help with Polyps
The 4 most popular New Year’s Resolutions- and how they can cut your colorectal cancer risk
Jan 4th
1. Quit smoking
If we could repeat this resolution for every number on this list, we would!
A wide range of toxic substances produced by tobacco smoke can enter the body through the saliva or blood stream and make their way down to the lining of the colon, where they can damage the cellular DNA and lead to cancer formation. Sounds like a great reason to quit to us.
Need help getting started?
Wikipedia’s article on Smoking Cessation is a good place to start, as it covers a number of methods, from the classic “cold turkey” approach to newer interventional methods.
The Lung Association of Canada offers some suggestions and methods to get you started on your smoke-free lifestyle.
The Canadian Cancer Society offers Smoker’s Helpline, a confidential and free telephone service for smokers at all stages of quitting. A trained expert can refer you to resources in your specific community, offer emotional support and help you develop a quit plan.
2. Slim down
Eating right to maintain a healthy weight in 2011 is about so much more than looking great for your August beach vacation- it’s about adding many more years to your life:
Research carried out by the World Cancer Research Fund and Leeds University in England show that excess abdominal girth, long known to increase risk of heart disease, is also a powerful risk factor for colorectal cancer. Click here to read more.
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, and fish may reduce the risk of colorectal
cancer, according to the summer 2010 study Diet Index-Based and Empirically Derived Dietary Patterns Are Associated with Colorectal Cancer Risk (Miller, Paige, et al., Journal of Nutrition, July 2010)
Remember, though, that naturally svelte folks are not exempt from eating right too! A diet low in red meat, high in colourful fruits and veggies and with a moderate intake of low-fat dairy products is our guideline for all Canadians.
Need help getting started? Check out the CCAC’s Nutritional Guidelines and this list of Canada-wide resources for healthy eating. Don’t forget to talk to your doctor about your weight-loss plan to- s/he can give you crucial guidance.
3. De-stress (By spending more time with family and friends, gaining control of your debt, taking more time for hobbies, etc)
A direct link between stress and colorectal cancer has not necessarily been proven, but stress can have a number of serious negative health and wellness effects. By not allowing yourself “time to unwind”, you could be more likely to indulge in tobacco products (see Resolution #1), overeat (see Resolution #2), and perhaps even miss critical colorectal cancer symptoms in your own body.
Need help getting started?
Take breaks from your hectic life with a new hobby. Exercise is an excellent form of stress relief! Which brings us to:
4. Start working out
It’s directly related to Resolution #2 and Resolution #3, and there is no shortage of evidence that regular exercise (at least 30 minutes, at least three times per week) can reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer- learn more by perusing scholarly journal articles here.
Patients are not exempt from this advice- though anyone undergoing treatment should consult with their oncology team before taking on a new routine. In fact, the American Cancer Society has an excellent resource you may wish to consult before your next doctor’s appointment: Nutrition and Physical Activity After Cancer Treatment.
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