Surgery>>>>>Colon, Rectum, and Anus
Question 32#

A 64-year-old man presents to the clinic with a 1 -month history of 10-lb weight loss and rectal bleeding. His hematocrit is found to be 27. On colonoscopy he is found to have a large cecal mass. What risk factors should he have modified to prevent development of colon cancer?

A. Eating a high-fat, high-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet and drinking a bottle of wine a day
B. Eating a high-fiber, low-fat, and low-protein diet, drinking a six packs of beer a day
C. Eating a high-fiber, low-fat, and high-protein diet and drinking only on holidays
D. Eating a high-fat, low-fiber diet and drinking only on holidays

Correct Answer is C

Comment:

A diet high in saturated or polyunsaturated fats increases risk of colo rectal cancer, while a diet high in oleic acid (olive oil, coconut oil, fish oil) does not increase risk. Animal studies suggest that fats may be directly toxic to the colonic mucosa and thus may induce early malignant changes. In contrast, a diet high in vegetable fiber appears to be protective. A correlation between alcohol intake and incidence of colorectal carcinoma has also been suggested. Ingestion of calcium, selenium, vitamins A, C, and E, carotenoids, and plant phenols may decrease the risk of developing colo rectal cancer. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle dramatically increase cancer-related mortality in a number of malignancies, including colorectal carcinoma. This knowledge is the basis for primary prevention strategies to eliminate colorectal cancer by altering diet and lifestyle.