Oncologist who cut open people for 17 years saw same foods in 80% of colon cancer patients
Colon cancer cases are increasing all over the world, but where it was once thought of as an older person’s disease, young people are seeing it more and more.
While research is trying to pinpoint exactly why this is, there have been links found by scientists who are sure it’s mostly down to what we consume.
Bowel cancer is now the fourth most common form of cancer in the UK, but with symptoms hard to put down to being exclusively a cancer thing, it can easily end up dismissed by doctors due to similarities with IBS or piles.
What is known as of now is that things such as alcohol and red meat because of the increased risk of cancer, but an oncologist with 17 years of experience says there’s even more of a risk if you eat this category of foods.
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According to him, 80 percent of the people he operated on consumed either sausages, hot dogs or smoked and processed meats.
Meanwhile, Dr Tim Titutan, a US-based doctor with a background in cancer research, told GB News: "Processing meat, such as through curing, smoking, salting, or chemical preservation, results in the formation of carcinogenic chemicals called Noc and Pah.
"A study was done showing that eating 50 grams of processed meat a day increased, the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent
"I am not vegetarian, but I do make conscious decisions to lower the amount of processed meat I eat."
The World Health Organisation considers processed meat a Group 1 carcinogen, a group which also includes tobacco, alcohol, asbestos and radioactive plutonium.
Why does eating sausages and processed meat increase the risk of bowel cancer?
Cancer Research UK explains that nitrates and nitrites are chemical preservatives added to processed meat like sausages to keep it fresher for longer.
They're broken down in the body into N-nitroso chemicals (NOCs), which damage the cells lining the bowel, potentially causing bowel cancer
The health charity advises you to eat as little processed meat as possible. Other processed meats include bacon, sandwich ham, corned beef, hot dogs, salami and pepperoni
A 2020 study found that people eating 75g of processed or red meat per day, which is about one large sausage, had a 32 percent increased risk of developing bowel cancer.
The likes of James Van de Beek, Married at First Sight host Mel Schilling and Chadwick Boseman have all passed away from colon cancer in recent years, which shows how dangerous it can be even when affecting those under the age of 50.
NHS doctor Chris van Tulleken said: "There is a decade of evidence now that is extremely clear that it is ultra-processed food that is responsible, not just for pandemic weight gain and obesity, but also for a long list of other health problems, including early death."
Therefore, it seems clear that the vast majority of health professionals are in agreement that poor diet and ultra-processed foods can be responsible for illnesses such as colon cancer, with the prevalence of those foods in young people's diets perhaps one explanation as to why the cancer is becoming so common in patients under the age of 40.
What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
According to the NHS, symptoms may include:
· Changes in your pooing habits
· Bleeding from your bottom
· Feeling like you need to poo even if you've just been to the toilet
· Tummy pain
· A lump in your tummy
· Bloating
· Losing weight without trying
· Feeling very tired for no reason
A GP appointment is recommended is you experience the above symptoms.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: Bowel cancer, Cancer, Health, NHS
James Moorhouse