Natural Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
18 Jun 2009
Dr Basil Morson, a pathologist in London, England, is a world authority on colon cancer. Dr Morson says, "All colon cancers come from polyps". In effect, you do not develop cancer of the large bowel unless you first grow a polyp.
These fleshy growths arise from the inside lining of the bowel. It’s estimated that about one person in three over the age of 50 has one or more colon polyps.
A report from The Mayo Clinic shows that after five years 2.5 percent of polyps become malignant. Ten years later the figure jumps to 10 percent and after 20 years 24 percent.
Is there any way to decrease the risk of this common malignancy? Some authorities believe that eating less fat may help to decrease the risk.
Colon cancer is rare in Uganda. These people consume huge amounts of fiber which makes stools soft preventing constipation. Some scientists believe an unidentified toxin in feces triggers cancer if it remains in prolonged contact with the intestinal wall.
Some studies also indicate that ample amounts of calcium may decrease the risk of colon cancer. And milk is still the best way to obtain adequate amounts of calcium.
Aspirin, which for good reason, has been labelled the wonder drug of the century, fights colon cancer. In a large-scale study by The American Cancer Society Aspirin decreased the death rate from this malignancy by 40 percent.
Some believe that Aspirin may prevent the body from producing a chemical that causes intestinal cells to become malignant.
My advice is for people to ask their doctor whether it’s prudent to take a daily Aspirin. Particularly, if they have a higher risk of developing colon cancer.
For instance, if one of their parents, siblings or children has had bowel cancer. Or if they’ve had a colon polyp or inflammatory bowel disease.
Obviously the best way to prevent colon cancer is to have colon polyps removed. Unfortunately there are not enough colonoscopists to carry out this test on every Canadian or American. So if you live in an area where it’s available consider yourself lucky. Pick out your favourite tunes and don’t delay having it done.
And remember, never, never neglect rectal bleeding. Graveyards are full of people who thought such bleeding was due to hemorrhoids.
