A Time for Change

"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd druther not."
- Mark Twain

A family friend developed colon cancer in her early forties. It was a huge surprise. She had none of the risk factors: she was of normal weight, had no family history of cancer, had no polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, was not diabetic and had never smoked.

She looked at the risks carefully; the only area where she possibly lined up with the published associations was her diet. She had always enjoyed red meat and other animal fats. Here was something over which she had some control. Time for a change! The next time we spoke, she was a strict vegetarian, ate lots of fiber, and was taking dietary supplements.

I thought of her while reading a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (23:1431, 3/1/2005) that showed that individual dietary counseling for patients undergoing radiation therapy for colorectal cancer had a positive impact on function and symptoms. The group that received counseling was able to maintain body weight and intake better than the groups that received no counseling or received protein supplements alone. Counseling works.

Cancer diagnoses can bring on reactive lifestyle changes. Some of my patients suddenly quit smoking, quit drinking alcohol, start exercising and change what they eat.

The American Cancer Society continues to recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day and several servings of other foods from plant sources, such as breads, cereals, grain products, rice, pasta, or beans. We need to be ready to provide information at this "teachable moment" and steer patients toward appropriate help.

My friend is doing well, exercising and eating a healthy diet as a five-year cancer survivor. As our mothers always told us, "You are what you eat." Even when it comes to cancer.

Bruce H. Campbell, MD, FACS
Professor of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences
Chief, Division of Head and Neck Oncology
Interim Director, Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center

"Reflections" is a collection of essays by the health professionals of the Medical College of Wisconsin.