Mediterranean Diet Prevents Colon Cancer

Mediterranean Diet Prevents Colon Cancer

    Biruni University Hospital Gastroenterology Specialist, who made a name for himself with his successful studies. Prof. Dr. Barış Yılmaz said that early diagnosis is important in the diagnosis of colon cancer and emphasized that everyone should have regular screenings from the age of 50, whether they show symptoms or not.


    Physicians at Biruni University Hospital are frequently mentioned by the successful surgeries they perform and the patients they heal. Biruni University Hospital Gastroenterology Specialist Prof Dr. Barış Yılmaz, who drew attention to the fact that many patients had diseases related to the diet with the pandemic, made statements on the subject. Emphasizing that the Mediterranean type of diet prevents many diseases, Yılmaz said in the studies conducted on this subject, "As a result of long-term studies conducted in the USA, England and Spain, it was determined that the type of diet that prevents the development of colon cancer is the Mediterranean type of diet."


    Spices instead of salt
    Underlining that plenty of vegetables and fruits help reduce the development of cancer with their antioxidant structure, Prof. Dr. Barış Yılmaz said, “Butter and margarine are not used in Mediterranean cuisine, olive oil is consumed quite a lot; Spices are used instead of salt. Eat plenty of raw and cooked vegetables and fruits every day. 5-6 servings of fish and chicken are consumed per week. Red meat is consumed several times a month."


    The importance of stool control
    New scientific publications recommend colonoscopy screenings from age 50:
    “Another way to prevent colon cancer is to have regular check-ups. In individuals with no complaints, screening should begin at the age of 50. In those with a family history of colon cancer, screening should begin 10 years before the onset of the disease. For example, if the patient's father was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 50, his son should have a colonoscopy at the age of 50. In addition, the presence of mixed blood in the stool, change in toilet habits, involuntary weight loss and anemia of unknown cause are alarm symptoms and require immediate colonoscopy.”


    Possible to reset risk
    Colonoscopy for screening is performed to detect and remove polyps (fleas) that are precursors to cancer in the colon. Reminding that if these polyps are not removed, there is a possibility of transforming into colon cancer in 5-10 years, Prof.Dr. Barış Yılmaz said, 'When the polyps are removed, the risk is zeroed. If polyps are not detected, repeat colonoscopy is not required for 10 years. However, patients with polyps should continue their colonoscopic follow-up every 2-3 years, despite the possibility of new polyps appearing.


    Do Regular exercise
    Prof. Dr. Barış Yılmaz listed the measures to be taken to prevent colon cancer as follows:
    Apply a Mediterranean diet, increase your physical activity (for half an hour a day, lightly sweaty sports), drink plenty of water (2-3 liters a day), stay away from smoking and alcohol, have regular screening from the age of 45.


    Who is Prof. Dr. Barış Yılmaz?
    He was born in Nevşehir in 1977. Prof. Dr. Barış Yılmaz completed his primary, secondary and high school education in Nevşehir. Yılmaz started his medical education at Ankara Gazi University in 1996 and graduated in 2003. He won the Department of Internal Medicine at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital in 2003 and completed his residency in 2009. He started his specialization in Ankara Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital Gastroenterology in 2009 and graduated in 2013. 2013-2015 Osmaniye State Hospital, 2015-2019 He worked as a gastroenterology specialist at Hitit University Çorum Erol Olçok Training and Research Hospital. Prof. Dr. Barış Yılmaz is specialized on diagnosis and treatment of esophagus, anus, liver, biliary tract and pancreas diseases.