Scientists have discovered that there are fewer left-sided colorectal tumors in patients after they receive colonoscopies.
According to findings from a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, there was a larger prevalence of left-sided colorectal tumors in patients who had never received colonoscopies. However, there was no change in the number of right-sided advanced neoplasm for either group.
After observing 3,287 male participants aged 55 and older, the researchers noted that during a 10-year span, 11.4 percent of the 2,701 patients who had never received the procedure had advanced colorectal neoplasms, while only 6.1 percent of those who had received a colonoscopy reported similar findings.
The researchers reported that although previous studies had been conducted before, it hadnt been determined if there was a difference in tumor area.
“Although a strong protective effect of colonoscopy from colorectal neoplasms has been established through previous studies, our results add to the evidence that this effect is much stronger in, if not confined to, the left colon and rectum, at least in the community setting,” the authors write.
Consuming an alkaline diet of fruits and vegetables may help keep the colon healthy, among various other health benefits.