A prospective study reports that survivors of advanced colorectal cancer (stage III) who regularly eat nuts: walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds have a half reduced risk of recurrence.
One of the most important discoveries in recent years is the evidence that lifestyle factors that prevent cancer development, whether it is tobacco cessation, a good diet or regular physical activity, can also play a prominent role in preventing recurrence. This makes it possible to take concrete measures for a long and healthy life even after a cancer diagnosis.
This is especially true when it comes to colon cancer. Several studies have shown that certain lifestyle aspects can greatly reduce the risk of recurrence and thus increase the chance of surviving this cancer:
– Maintain a normal body weight: Being overweight significantly increases the risk of the disease recurring.
– Exercising: The most active people after cancer diagnosis see their risk of premature mortality significantly reduced;
– Eat more vegetables and less red meat and cold cuts.
Halve the risk of developing and recurring colorectal cancer
It is now well established that the typical Western diet, high in saturated fats, added sugars and refined flours but low in plant-based foods, is associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases. This guy
This diet is particularly bad for people with colon cancer: Studies show that these types of eating habits triple the risk of death in these people compared to those who eat healthier diets, low in red meat but high in plants. Increasing plant consumption, coupled with decreasing consumption of red meat and processed products, therefore represents an absolutely necessary lifestyle change for colorectal cancer survivors who wish to reduce their risk of recurrence.
The protective effect of nuts
If all plants are beneficial for health, the fact remains that recent studies show that some of them are particularly interesting for preventing relapses.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Association of Clinical Oncology does a great job of illustrating this concept. In this prospective study, clinicians recruited 826 patients who had been treated for stage III colorectal cancer (surgery and chemotherapy) and followed the course of the disease over a period of approximately 7 years.
By analyzing the patients’ eating habits during this period, they found that people who ate nuts regularly (2 or more servings per week) had a 57% lower risk of death than those who never did. This effect is specific to nuts: walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, etc.), while peanuts (which are legumes and not true nuts) appear to have no protective effect. Therefore, according to the authors, the inclusion of nuts in dietary habits could have extremely positive effects on the survival of people affected by colorectal cancer.
These observations show once again that it is important not to give up after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer: Certain, sometimes very simple, lifestyle changes (e.g. regular consumption of nuts) can significantly influence the risk of recurrence and increase life expectancy.
source
FADELU T ET AL. NUT CONSUMPTION AND SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS WITH STAGE III COLON CANCER: RESULTS FROM CALGB 89803 (ALLIANCE). J.CLIN. ONCOL. 2018; 36: 1112-1120.
* Presse Santé strives to convey health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO CASE can the information given replace the advice of a doctor.
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