What to Eat for Advanced Stage Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine, the lower part of the human digestive system. Most colon cancers begin as small noncancerous polyps; over time, these can become colon cancers. Symptoms of colon cancer include a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or blood in stool, weight loss, fatigue and persistent abdominal comfort. Advanced or late-stage colon cancer means that the cancer has entered the lymph nodes or has spread to other organs of the body. Special care should be taken when eating to be sure that the cancer patient is comfortable, well-hydrated and eating a nutritionally balanced diet.

Diet

• Colon cancer patients should eat a healthy diet with high-quality foods in order to boost immunity and deal with possible nutritional deficiencies. Because cancer treatment can interfere with the body's ability to absorb and use nutrients, decrease the appetite and lower the ability to digest food, care should be taken when choosing appropriate foods to eat. Small meals throughout the day are also recommended, as is drinking after eating (instead of during) and eating and drinking fortified foods or meal supplements/replacements when needed. Caution should be used when taking vitamin and mineral supplements, as some vitamins can interfere with chemotherapy.

  A colon cancer patient should eat a diet high in complex carbohydrates, good fats such as olive or omega-3 oils, easily digestible protein and many vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Foods such as whole grains, legumes, fresh raw fruit and vegetables, and additive-free chicken or other lean meats meet these requirements. Nitrates and other additives in certain meats should be avoided. Additionally, fish and chicken may be more easily tolerated than red meats.

  Some colon cancer patients suffer from bouts of diarrhea because of problems with absorption in the bowels, inflammation or infections. While a well-balanced diet with carbohydrates, proteins and small amounts of fats is recommended the majority of the time, a temporary change in diet can help with diarrhea. Bland foods that are soft and low in fat, such as bananas, plain rice or pasta, can help.

Prevention and Diet

• Once cancer has reached an advanced stage, it can be difficult to treat. However, a combination of treatments including radiation, chemotherapy, medications and changes in diet can help relieve some symptoms. According to researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, dietary changes can reduce the occurrence of recurrent cancer in many patients. Patients who eat a diet high in poultry, fish, and fruits and vegetables have a much lower chance of suffering from recurrent cancer, while patients who eat a typically "Western" diet high in red meat, desserts and fats more often have recurrent cancer.

  Researchers found that when patients were relatively similar in age, gender, health history and cancer symptoms, those who ate a Western diet were more likely to have their colon cancer return.