Effects of Balanced diet can mitigate the development of stomach and intestine cancers

Effects of Balanced diet – The construction of healthy habits is among the determining factors for a long, quality life. A balanced diet promotes well-being and the prevention of various diseases, such as stomach and intestinal cancer. Aligned with the objective of promoting awareness on the subject, the Meu Doutor Novamed clinic network, of the Bradesco Seguros Group, warns about the importance of prevention and the necessary care for the proper functioning of the digestive system.

effects of Balanced diet

According to data from the National Cancer Institute (INCA), malignant tumors of the intestine (colon and rectum) and stomach, which compromise the functioning of the digestive system, are among those with the highest incidence in Brazil. These two types of cancer occupy, respectively, the fourth and sixth position in the list of the most frequent in the country. Gastroenterologist Julia Campos, from the Meu Doutor Novamed clinic network, highlights the role of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle for prevention. “It is very important to have healthy habits, with a diet rich in fiber, with fruits and vegetables, and low in fat. Among the main allies, there are also regular physical activity, eliminating sedentary lifestyle and controlling obesity, as well as quitting smoking and avoiding excessive intake of alcoholic beverages”. INCA projections are that Brazil registers 704,000 new cases of cancer for each year in the 2023-2025 period, considering more than 20 types of the disease. The estimate represents an increase of 79,000 new cases annually compared to the institute’s previous projection — of 625,000 per year for the period from 2020 to 2022. How to know if there is a digestion problem Dr. Julia Campos emphasizes the importance of recognizing the symptoms that something is not right in the stomach and intestine, impairing the good performance of the organs and, consequently, the functioning of the digestive system. The four main signs that something is out of order in the digestion process are: – Presence of heartburn and nausea; – Abdominal pain and/or distended abdomen; – Difficulty in digestion with feeling of stewing; – Changes in bowel habits (such as diarrhea or constipation). “These symptoms are present in benign pathologies of the digestive system, but they can also be related to cancer. In addition to them, it is important to note the concomitant presence of unexplained weight loss, as well as difficulty in feeding, persistent vomiting or blood in the stool. These symptoms are like an alert to the need for evaluation by a gastroenterologist, to rule out the possibility of cancer in these organs”, reinforces the doctor, who works at the unit in the Caminho das Árvores neighborhood of Meu Doutor Novamed, in Salvador (BA). Importance of digestion quality Digestion is a fundamental process for the absorption of nutrients present in food and drink, ensuring that the human body can function properly, in a healthy way. Considering that the signs of inadequate performance may be present in different illnesses, the gastroenterologist emphasizes: “Stomach and intestinal cancer only develop symptoms in an advanced stage. When they are still small and asymptomatic, the differentiation between the different pathologies of the digestive system requires the specific evaluation of each organ, often with digestive endoscopy or colonoscopy, when indicated”. Age and family history Historically, the risk of developing stomach and bowel cancers increases with age. But the incidence has been increasing in younger people. According to a recent study by Harvard University (USA), published at the end of 2022 by the scientific journal Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, recent decades have seen a change in the age range of patients with malignant neoplasms. Cancers such as those of the bowel, breast, stomach and pancreas have been on the rise among people under 50. Dr. Julia Campos also warns of issues related to family history. “We have to consider personal family history, as the presence of first-degree relatives with these types of malignant neoplasms, polyps or genetic syndromes increases this chance of developing the disease”. Early diagnosis and treatment Preventive care, with constant monitoring for a possible early diagnosis, helps to mitigate the development of cancer and make treatment more effective. “Carrying out screening tests, such as colonoscopy from the age of 45, is essential to reduce the chance of the appearance of this type of cancer. In this exam, it is possible to detect polyps — the vast majority of types of bowel cancer, for example, develop from the growth of this type of abnormal tissue in a mucous membrane — and perform its complete removal in the same procedure. This removal frees the patient from the possibility that this polyp will continue to grow and become cancer”, he comments. The gastroenterologist at Meu Doutor Novamed points out that the treatment depends on each case and, after a diagnosis, the doctor and the patient will align the necessary actions. “When the diagnosis is made at an early stage and without affecting other organs with metastases, it is possible to completely remove the cancer, by endoscopy or surgery, and complementing the treatment with chemotherapy/radiotherapy when necessary”. Featured Photo: Playback