Vegan Vitality: Strengthening Your Defense Against Colon Cancer

Dr. Lisa Wilde, Director of Research and External Affairs at Bowel Cancer UK, says, “We know around half of all bowel cancers could be prevented by having a healthier lifestyle, and the good news is that we know what kind of changes can reduce the risk.” If you’re ready to enhance your health and lower the risk of colon cancer, simply swap out an animal-people meat-centered diet for a healthy vegan lifestyle.

Here is a short message from PCRM on colorectal cancer. “Did you know that a healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce your risk for colorectal cancer?

Plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, contain fiber, which acts like a broom cleaning your digestive tract of waste and toxins that could lead to cancer. Eating just three servings of whole grains per day can reduce colorectal cancer risk by 17%. One study found that those who eat the most fiber are less likely to develop colon polyps, which are a precursor to colorectal cancer. Aim for about 40 grams of fiber per day.

Another important step is eliminating processed meat like bacon, ham, and hot dogs. The World Health Organization warns that processed meat is carcinogenic to humans. Eating just one hotdog, a few strips of bacon, or a couple of slices of deli meat per day increases colorectal cancer (risk) by 18%. So, keep the hotdogs, steaks, and bacon off your plate and choose plant-based foods instead to lower your risk of colorectal cancer.”

As we just heard, processed animal-people meats have been associated with an elevated danger of colon cancer, largely due to the presence of preservatives like nitrates and nitrites, which can metabolize into cancer-causing nitrosamines within the body. Moreover, high-temperature cooking methods such as grilling or frying can produce harmful compounds like heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to damage DNA and elevate cancer risk. The combination of these factors creates an environment conducive to the initiation and progression of colon cancer. Consuming animal-people meat can promote the growth of certain gut bacteria in the large intestine that causes inflammation that is linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. Therefore, minimizing inflammation through diet and lifestyle changes is key to keeping your colon happy.