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Diet While Being Treated for Rectal Cancer

Often times people confuse rectal cancer with colon cancer. The fact is that they are completely different from each other, with different symptoms and risk factors. Generally, though, the diets do not differ when it comes to the two different forms of cancer. Generally, fiber, carotenoids and vitamins C and E are very good for people who have a family history of either colon or rectal cancer, or who are being treated for the disease.

  1. Schedule a Routine Colonoscopy

    • Rectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, but the actual number of deaths has drastically gone down over the years. This is due to the ever increasing use of the colonoscopy to find and remove polyps. Commonly, you want to begin routine colonoscopies at the age of 40, but if it is prevalent in your family's history beginning them at the age of 30 is the safest idea.

    Diet and Exercise

    • Diet and exercise is very important when it comes to treatment of cancer. Eating a steady diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, chicken and fish will help your body regain the energy it needs to battle the cancer. Whole wheat breads, tomatoes, apples and blueberries are all excellent choices when it comes to eating healthy when being treated with rectal cancer. Avoiding very high-fat foods, high carbohydrate foods and low-fiber foods. Examples of these foods are fatty pork cuts such as bacon, sugar products such as pancake syrup, and white bread. Exercise is important as well, with swimming, jogging and cycling being the best forms of it. Doing any one of these about three times per week is key.

    Eat Often

    • It is also important to eat regularly, but you do not want to overeat. A good way to do this is to eat six smaller meals throughout the day instead of eating three larger meals. A good routine to get into is to have breakfast at around 7:30 a.m. This should consist of fruits and whole grains. Have a snack at 10:30 of some almonds or yogurt. Have lunch at noon, eating your lean meat, chicken or fish with some vegetables. Have another snack at around 3 p.m., followed by a sensible dinner at 5:30 p.m. Have another snack around 7:30 or 8 p.m to round out your eating for the day.

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