Eating red meat (80%) increases the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence

The Department of Health released the latest cancer registration report, with colorectal cancer ranking first in incidence. Doctors remind that even if early detection is achieved through screening and radical resection is performed early, long-term "high-fat, low-fiber" dietary habits must still be avoided after surgery. Studies have shown that red meat, in particular, accounts for more than 80% of all foods, and the risk of recurrence after surgery is more than 3 times higher.

Colorectal cancer patients should still avoid long-term "high-fat, low-fiber" eating habits after surgery. Studies have shown that if red meat accounts for more than 80% of all food, the risk of recurrence is more than 3 times higher.

Wei Boli, director of general surgery at Taipei Medical University Hospital, said that colorectal cancer is closely related to eating habits. Eating a lot of high-fat red meat, sweets, snacks, and pickled foods, and lacking in fiber-containing fresh fruits and vegetables, calcium, and vitamins to protect against colorectal cancer, is even worse. Even if they have colorectal cancer, patients mistakenly believe that removing the tumor means they are all right, which leads to the same eating habits after surgery.

The United States conducted a five-year follow-up and found that if colorectal cancer patients do not change their original biased eating habits, the risk of recurrence after surgery will be more than three times higher; if 80% of the food is red meat, the risk is highest.

Dr. Wei Boli pointed out that such a dietary proportion may sound exaggerated at first glance. In fact, many people often eat chicken steak and barbecue, and their lunch boxes also contain a large piece of meat as their staple food. In fact, they are eating red meat. However, he stressed that red meat is not an untouchable food. After all, red meat is the best source of iron. Therefore, the focus of postoperative diet is on balance, and it is best to change the way meat is cooked, using steaming and boiling instead of roasting, grilling, and frying.

Another factor to avoid recurrence after surgery is regular follow-up. Dr. Wei Boli said that intensive follow-up is required for the first two years of colorectal cancer: the cancer index should be tested every three months, ultrasound and chest X-ray should be taken every six months, and colonoscopy and CT examination should be performed every year.

If the follow-up results are good, the follow-up frequency can be extended from the third year onwards, with cancer index tests, ultrasound and chest X-rays performed every six months, and CT scans performed every year. Dr. Wei Boli said that since colorectal cancer patients rarely relapse in the original location, most of the recurrences are metastases to the liver and lungs, so imaging examinations of these areas must be continued, and colonoscopy may not be performed every year.