PRESCOTT – Cooking food at high temperatures could cause colon cancer.
This was one of the messages Lori Arnett gave members of the Prescott Rotary Club at its regular meeting Tuesday afternoon. Arnett said when foods, especially meat, is cooked at temperatures in excess of 500 degrees chemicals are released that could cause colon cancer. She told the club all of us need to reduce the amount of food we cook at high temperatures and get out in the sun more for vitamin D, as being outdoors is the best way to absorb this vitamin.
In addition, she continued, people need to eat more fruits and vegetables, as opposed to bread and meat. “We can’t change our age or personal history,” she said. However, Arnett added, we all know our bodies and need to pay attention to what our bodies are telling us. Those who have survived colon cancer, she said, have a higher chance of getting it again. Those who have a family history of colon cancer are also at higher risk, as are those who have inflammatory bowel issues. In talking about family history, she defined this as close family members, such as mothers, fathers, grandparents, not second cousins four times removed.
Talking about symptoms, Arnett said sometimes there aren’t any, which is why it’s important to get a colorectal exam, or at least an over-the-counter stool test kit. However, bloody stool is not normal, she told the Rotarians, nor is stomach pain that won’t go away or changes in bowel habits. Unexplained weight loss should also be a red flag, she said, as it’s easy to gain weight, but difficult to lose it. Anyone with any of these symptoms should talk to their doctor about them.
In the past, it was recommended those 50 and older get screened for colorectal cancer. Now, she said, it’s suggested people get tested at 45-years-old. Negative tests mean another screening isn’t needed for 10 years, while a positive test, especially if polyps are present, requires treatment with screening done every five years up to 75.
Colonoscopies, Arnett said, test for polyps while stool tests check for blood in the stool. Prevention, she continued, is the best thing, but only a third of people get screened. Arnett admitted it’s not a pleasant test, but it’s important for the prevention and early treatment of colon cancer. Early detection have a high cure rate.
Eating food cooked at high temperatures several times a day, over a period of time, can cause colon cancer. People, she said, need to modify their diets and remember temperature is the key.
Arnett is a registered nurse who worked with the Prescott School District for 18 years, but now works for the Arkansas Department of Health.
In other club business, Dr. Mike Young was recognized for his 32 years of service as a Rotarian. Satarra Williams was introduced as a new member.
Raffle tickets are available for a smoker-grill to be given away May 27. Tickets can be purchased from any club member. The cost is $5 each or 5 for $20.
