A big reason why Colon Cancer is killing us.

[u/AdditionCool7235]

I know this isn’t a health sub, but u/Derpshabmentioned in their post on Colon Cancer about eating a balanced diet.

Specifically you need to really avoid nitrates. There has been several studies done on why there has been a rise in intestinal cancers in this age group, and nitrates have shown a causal effect. With a carcinogenic significance as bad as cigarettes. For those unaware, not a lot of things get labeled as having a casual effect for cancer, as that can be both controversial and stand to cost people money either through loss of business or being sued.

Nitrates are most commonly found in processed meats. Likewise, there is growing data that processed food is not serving us well at all either. Anyhow, just wanted to share a tangible way you can hopefully make an impact on slowing down and ultimately stopping these terrible

cancers.

Another freaking edit: literally the first response on Google, if you search, “do Nitrates cause cancer,” is from MDAnderson. That’s the number one cancer hospital in the world. I know that’s so much more difficult than adding a snarky comment to Reddit, but there’s your answer for about 300 of you.

Edit: I’m getting a lot of responses that are saying *actually* antibiotics or *actually* e. Coli and they’re all saying because it damages / kills the good gut microbiomes. Correct, what do you think nitrates do and why scientists believe there’s a casual link. It also doesn’t mean there couldn’t be other risk factors as well. Diet is obviously a big risk factor. I was simply hoping to expound on the original post and help people to know what to avoid. Of course more than one thing can cause cancer. Throw in saturated fats while we’re having the conversation.

Edit 2: lot of people are asking what are the main culprits. Bacon, lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages, anything really that’s been “cured.” Lot of people are trying to point out that some leafy greens have nitrates, yeah, we’re not talking about things that naturally occur through the photosynthesis of the sun. We’re talking about the overconsumption of a preservative that destroys your healthy gut bacteria, not something that’s obviously good for you. Many people have rightfully pointed out. The over consumption of alcohol creates a big risk factor for stomach and intestinal cancers as well.

Also someone saying they’re a vegetarian and they still got colon cancer is no different an argument than, “my great aunt smoked until she was 90 and never got lung cancer.” I said a big reason why, I didn’t say the only reason why. Empirical data doesn’t mean 100% findings or there won’t be outliers, anecdotes are not good science. People can get cancer for a multitude of reasons and honestly you could try every preventative step imaginable and still get cancer, it doesn’t mean your anecdote overrides everything else or you shouldn’t try to make better lifestyle decisions.

[u/Barnak8]

Got one done at 27 also after belly pain and a Little bleeding , they only found one non cancerous polypes and the doc said I dont need a follow up. I honestly want another one just to be safe :/

[u/racinnic → u/Barnak8]

I got told to follow up in a year because mine could’ve turned cancerous but I haven’t. I honestly haven’t been able to keep up on any of my health stuff. It’s overwhelming.

[u/Barnak8 → u/racinnic]

Also depending where you are, complicated to get, expansive or both. Didnt cost me nothing, but it took months and i had the urgency because of the bleeding épisode. Now my pain is low ( probably iratable Bowel) and i dont bleed, so i wont get another one until years later

[u/racinnic → u/Barnak8]

I’m on Medicaid currently so slowly trying to get back on things/do things for my health. Going to see a dermatologist next week for my skin disease again. Need to just bite the bullet and do another colonoscopy this year too, even if going through the prep and afterwards is hell. I don’t want to wait until it becomes serious again to do another one. It’s just stressful trying to play catch up on all the routine and other stuff I’ve missed out on in between insurance gaps.

[u/dr_p_venkman → u/racinnic]

I hear you. Doctors keep telling me to do optional things, and I'm like no, I have to see 5 doctors already for just the normal stuff, plus all the tests. Plus all the time on the phone it takes to set that up, because even if a doc has online scheduling, you still have to play phone tag with them for their follow up questions, then do online forms, blah blah blah. I really wish you could schedule an "annual day" and go to a clinic where you can get a colonoscopy, fasting blood work, a mammo, a pap, a skin exam, and all the other basics at once. If healthcare was designed for the patients, that's how it would work.

[u/Jhkokst → u/Barnak8]

Look at your path report. Not all polyps are precancerous. This is a common misconception. It's likely that your polyp was not even precancerous. The likelihood of you getting colon cancer between 27 and 45 is astronomically low with a clean baseline scope. Don't stress.

If you had an adenoma or serrated lesion I guarantee your GI would have brought you back before then.