While shopping recently, I was recognized and then approached by a woman. Politely grabbing my shirt sleeve, she tugged me to the meat department. "I've been feeding my husband Sam red and smoked meats all our lives, but just I learned modern grocery meats encourage colon cancer. Please, what's going on? I'm confused" she pleaded. "He's in denial and won't take colorectal cancer seriously. Doc says he's showing symptoms, but Sam demands meat and potatoes. I'm scared."

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in men and women in America. The American Cancer Society expects over 100,000 new cases of colon cancer and rectal cancer this year. Over 90% of colorectal cancer cases are in people age 50 or older.

Who willingly admits they abetted their disease? Most trusting folks are confidant there are FDA systems in place to protect us. (Snicker.) In reality, no one's keeping the food industry lap dogs honest. Nevertheless, no one likes being told they're wrong even in the presence of the truths that a high consumption of meat can cause colon cancer. A diet high in red meats (beef) and processed and cured meats (hotdogs, bacon, and bologna) increases colorectal cancer risk. Also, frying/grilling meats at high temperatures create chemicals that fertilize cancer. Convincing folks to change their diet is like asking them to change their religion.

Control is something you lose when you have cancer – you hand it over to your doctors, but there are lifestyle factors you can govern. Red meats were once clean, fed their God-assigned diet of grass – not corn – pasture raised, but not asphyxiated in growth hormones and antibiotics in a factory farm gulag. Today cuts of grocery beef are exposed to carbon monoxide as a freshness and color preservative.  This is about as abnormal as an enjoyable colonoscopy. Your grandparents would freak out. This is simply not how loving creation planned it.

Ignoring dangers increases your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Exercising regularly may help reduce risk. Obesity increases the risk of developing the cancer and the obesity link is stronger in men. So, control your weight with healthy food choices and regular, daily exercise.
Long-term smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop colorectal cancer. Swallowing tarry smoke saliva can cause digestive system cancers.

Excessive cocktailing has been linked to colorectal cancer. Some experts think it's because heavy drinkers have low levels of folic acid in the body. Too much folic acid may increase risk, so more is not better. Those with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk in developing colorectal cancer too.

Numerous epidemiologic studies indicate increased calcium, vitamin D and C lower the risk of colorectal neoplasia. Do not underestimate nourishing vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, which may reduce abnormal cell growth.

Colorectal cancer affects seniors more than others. Reduce the stress and mystery of daily living by getting colorectal cancer screenings when you turn 50. Yes, recon of your 5-foot colon (or the one finger salute) may be awkward, but we're responsible adults now. We live in world other than what we pictured in our youth. You're misleading yourself assuming chronic disease is a natural part of aging. D-nile is a beautiful river in Egypt, but no way to help your health.

Chef Wendell hosts Eat Right Now on WISH TV 8 CBS Indianapolis. He can be reached at 317-372-2592 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Visit his website at Chefwendell.com.

Meet Wendell