Next time you’re at the grocery store, swing by the nut section to pick up some tree nuts to integrate into your daily diet. In moderation, nuts can be a valuable addition to your diet, with lots of “good fats,” protein, fiber, and vitamins. But even more interestingly, a new study is showing a connection with eating tree nuts and a reduction in recurrence of colon cancer and colon cancer deaths.
The results of the study, which will be presented at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, show that participants who consumed at least 2 ounces of tree nuts each week saw a 42% reduced risk of colon cancer recurrence and a 57% reduction in deaths from colon cancer. Cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and pecans are all tree nuts.
Is It As Simple As Just Eating Tree Nuts?
The study conducted in cooperation with the National Cancer Institute, The National Institutes of Health, and Pfizer Inc. wasn’t done solely to study the effects of tree nuts on colon cancer patients, rather the results were discovered as a side benefit to some of their other findings. But the evidence is compelling and will require further study to determine the exact connection between the two.
While it might seem tempting to look for a magic answer to prevent colon cancer deaths and recurrence once you’ve already survived the diagnosis, there isn’t one single thing you should focus on moving forward. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers found in both men and women older than age 50, with a projected 95,000+ cases to be diagnosed this year. The best way to avoid a colon cancer diagnosis, or to at least catch it early to begin treatment, is through regular colonoscopies and well visits with one of the GI Associates team. In addition to regular and proactive medical care, you should work to maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking, limit your alcohol, start a good physical fitness routine, and understand your family history of the disease.
GI Associates is here to counsel you and help with all of those factors. If you have any questions about how to manage your care and avoid having colon cancer, contact our team today to set up an appointment.
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