Colon Cleanser Is Not Proven to Prevent Colon Cancer
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Using a colon cleanser is something you see advertised every day on television, in the newspaper and on the Internet. They claim colon cleansing will save you from colon cancer or that it is a way to purify your body.
Unsupported Claims
Along with that claim, colon cleansing backers want you to believe a colon cleanser will:
- Prevent constipation
- Stop diarrhea
- Give you clearer skin
- Increase your energy level
- Help you sleep better
- Boost your concentration level
- Make you feel healthier overall
Further, supporters say some people lose up to 30 pounds of weight with colon cleansing.
The manufacturers that sell colon cleansers insist everyone has undigested red meat in their colon, which turns into a mucous buildup on the colon walls. This mucous buildup allegedly produces toxins, which increase your risk of colon cancer.
In addition they claim that your regular bowel movements do not clean the mucous out of your colon, and only cleansers are capable of doing this.
Types of Colon Cleansers
There are two basic types of colon cleanser for sale. One is a powder or liquid form, which irritates the colon and causes the mucous to detach. The mucous is then eliminated through bowel movements. The other cleanser is called a "colonic irrigation," where large amounts of water flush out the mucous.
Clinical research on colon cleansing has not been done. There is no scientific evidence that supports the claims made by the manufacturers. Furthermore they do not show proof that any of their products essentially lead to better colon health. Instead, medical science has shown the primary causes for developing colon cancer. Some of these situations are unavoidable and some can be avoided.
Primary Causes of Colon Cancer
- Being over the age of 50
- Women have a higher risk for colon cancer
- Men have a greater chance of developing rectal cancer
- Growth of polyps, which in time become cancerous, on the inner wall of the colon or rectum
- Women who have had ovarian, uterine or breast cancer
- People with chronic inflammatory colon conditions
- Whether your parents or siblings have had colon cancer
- Eating a diet high in fat and low in fiber
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking
- If you do not get enough exercise
- If you are overweight
- If you have diabetes
Dr. Bernard Levin is a colorectal cancer expert at MD Anderson Hospital. He states that the colon sheds old cells by itself and does not need the help of colon cleansers.
Colon cleansers are dangerous and harmful to your health. You can absorb too much water and this can lead to vomiting, heart failure and fluid in your lungs. There is a chance you could break the colon wall. If this happened, it would be fatal. While these side effects are rare, people often use these products without first checking with their doctor to know if they should avoid using the product.
Medical doctors do not endorse colon cleansers and will not recommend you use them.
The best ways to prevent or detect colon cancers are:
- Regular colon cancer tests with colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies or bloods tests on your stools. You should start having screening tests by the time you are 50 years old.
- Eats lot of food high in fiber
- Avoid high fat and calorie foods
- Exercise regularly
- Do not smoke
If you are worried about colon cancer, talk to your doctor. He will schedule any tests you need to find out if you have colon cancer. If you do not have a doctor, contact us and we will help you find one.
Protect Yourself From the High Cost of Cancer
According to the recent studies, American men have a 44% chance of developing cancer while the chances for women are about 37%. The general risk of developing colon cancer in the United States is about 6%. For this reason, it's important for everyone, particularly people above the age of 50 years, to go for routine screening.
Whether discovered early or late, cancer is a debilitating disease due to the care, costs and the mental and physical trauma involved. Many times the cost of treatment leaves the patient in heavy financial distress.
Most insurance plans do not cover the total cost of the treatment, which leaves the patient and their family in a lurch. These days people have started purchasing supplemental cancer insurance that can help in covering otherwise uninsured expenses related to cancer illness.
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