Dietary Changes Before and After Colon Cancer

Posted by Jackie, Alumna Mentor @travelgirl, Jul 3, 2018

I am wondering how many people changed their diets after they were diagnosed with colon cancer? What foods have you lost the desire to eat?
Do you think that cutting out red meat, and processed foods it will keep the cancer form returning?

I know I used to eat way more red meat prior to my colon cancer diagnosis.
Now I seldom have a taste for red meat, and processed foods.
Jackie

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

Great topic, @travelgirl. I'm bringing @ilene1 @soul @starrlight @minabird @mouselife @rayleemorris @brenz @memorae12 @missmary @jinatolle and @jrsmarkey into this discussion.
My father had colon cancer, thus I have a potentially familial risk factor and watch my diet. During a recent colonoscopy, I had a pre-cancerous polyp removed. I haven't lost the desire for any foods, but do limit processed meats. I miss it sometimes.

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My Mom has totally changed her entire diet after colorectal cancer. She did not have cancer cell after surgery. My Mom likes spicy and oily food and she ate a lot of oily and fattening stuff before she had colorectal cancer. She has stopped eating all the spicy and oily stuff now. She eat vegetables more and protein from bean, egg , no processed meat. She eats less meat and more fish that made her healthier. She mentioned that she does not have desire to eat spicy and fattening stuff. She is recovering from the surgery and she is now free of cancer. It is truly blessings to her and everyone in the family. This is her second year after surgery.

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I did change somewhat- much less red meat; more plant based diet. Eat chicken some and some fish. What I notice is that processed Foods are like huge Circle K of eating- VERY convenient but very costly. It takes time to prepare a good plant based diet and meals. Just finished my second year post resection and after 3 poor preps for the colonoscopy they kind of gave up- said come back next year- you are probably OK- hmmm. Not sure why preps were so poor- did them by the book. Will be asking my primary care doc for referral for work up with Mayo. I am 67 and very active - I want and need answers. Bill

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@azcyclist2018

I did change somewhat- much less red meat; more plant based diet. Eat chicken some and some fish. What I notice is that processed Foods are like huge Circle K of eating- VERY convenient but very costly. It takes time to prepare a good plant based diet and meals. Just finished my second year post resection and after 3 poor preps for the colonoscopy they kind of gave up- said come back next year- you are probably OK- hmmm. Not sure why preps were so poor- did them by the book. Will be asking my primary care doc for referral for work up with Mayo. I am 67 and very active - I want and need answers. Bill

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Hello azcyclist. My colonoscopy prep was incomplete because i had a constriction in my colon. I could feel the prep products rumbling in my decending colon but it just couldnt pass through the constriction. Maybe you could do the ColoGuard test?
Three preps, not fun.

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Hello blue sky
I spoke with primary care and did considerable research on the cologuard tesf. Test has false positives and negatives ; is used for those without history of col cancer
Will still do one in one year- not much confidence either way. Have asked primary care to please move forward with referral to Mayo Clinic for further review .
Three preps yielded same results and discomfort - options were limited ; have faith that Mayo crew will be able to help us narrow questions
Take care

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@azcyclist2018

Hello blue sky
I spoke with primary care and did considerable research on the cologuard tesf. Test has false positives and negatives ; is used for those without history of col cancer
Will still do one in one year- not much confidence either way. Have asked primary care to please move forward with referral to Mayo Clinic for further review .
Three preps yielded same results and discomfort - options were limited ; have faith that Mayo crew will be able to help us narrow questions
Take care

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Thank you for sharing the info on Colo Guard test results. Glad you are continuing to look for answers through the Mayo Clinic.
With Best wishes, Karen

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@azcyclist2018

I did change somewhat- much less red meat; more plant based diet. Eat chicken some and some fish. What I notice is that processed Foods are like huge Circle K of eating- VERY convenient but very costly. It takes time to prepare a good plant based diet and meals. Just finished my second year post resection and after 3 poor preps for the colonoscopy they kind of gave up- said come back next year- you are probably OK- hmmm. Not sure why preps were so poor- did them by the book. Will be asking my primary care doc for referral for work up with Mayo. I am 67 and very active - I want and need answers. Bill

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@azcyclist2018 Wow, did they not perform the follow-up colonoscopy? After my resection, I had a colonoscopy done at 6 months, a second one done at one year. Then after that they gave me an all clear for three years.
Did you have any post- op colonoscopy done?
Jackie

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Hi all
Following my diagnosis of stage IV colon cancer in early January 2015 my eating habits have changed and I believe it has helped although really can’t be measured.
However I think it is only one piece in what I do.
I try to eat organic as much as possible with lots of fruit and vegetables and no red meat .
In addition I exercise , get accupuncture, do yoga
And really try to listen to my body and remain vigilant.
I have been blessed to have a wonderful health care team as well

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@sallyg Thank you for sharing. That is very helpful for all of us colon cancer survivors. You sound like your doing great? God bless that is wonderful.
Jackie

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Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer with mets in August 2013.....
I gave up meat and most dairy, started light exercise (walking, tai chi ) and I am sure this has contributed to me still being here ..(73 years young)
Lots of big hugs to everyone fighting this disease xx

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