Minimal Exercise Prevents Colon Cancer, While Psychological Factors Influence Gastrointestinal Illness

Psychological issues may play a role in the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, says research being presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW).

Another study found that just an hour a week of low-intensity exercise decreases the risk for colon polyps, particularly among overweight and obese individuals. DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researchers in the field of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

Colorectal Cancer - Types, Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis & Prevention
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men.

"Research continues to show us how intricately the mind and body work together in patients with gastrointestinal illness and emphasizes how important it is to treat the whole patient, not just the disease," said Robynne Chutkan, MD, FASGE, assistant professor of gastroenterology at Georgetown University Hospital. "Exercise and meditation are just a few of the alternative techniques that healthcare providers can introduce to their patients to help prevent and control the pain of disease."

Therapeutic impact of mindfulness meditation on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): results of a randomized controlled trial (Abstract #219)

Mindfulness meditation has been reported to improve symptoms in chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and depression and a recent study found benefits to IBS severity and symptoms. Investigators found that when compared with support group therapy, mindfulness meditation improved IBS severity and psychological symptoms more. After the same eight week period, symptom severity was reduced four times more in the meditation group. Mainstream medicine offers no cure for IBS and as many as half of patients do not see adequate improvement in their symptoms with conventional treatment. This research suggests mindfulness meditation as a widely available and inexpensive method that can provide individuals with skills they can use for the rest of their life.

Colo-rectal Cancer - Management
Treatment for Colorectal Cancers may involve surgery,chemotherapy, radiation therapy or biological therapy. Some people require a combination of treatments.

Dr. Palsson will present these data on Saturday, May 7 at 2:15 p.m. CT in E451A, McCormick Place.

Predictors of Abdominal Pain in Depressed Pediatric Crohn's Disease Patients (Abstract #453)

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Colon Polyps-Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment-Prevention-Complications
A colon polyp is a fleshy growth on the inside of the colon, also called the large intestine. In general, the larger a polyp, the greater the likelihood of cancer.
Psychological factors, especially depression, play a significant role in abdominal pain in children and adolescents with Crohn's Disease (CD); especially when the disease activity is well-controlled, according to new research from the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The findings are important because they may help physicians develop more effective treatment strategies and prevent children from having recurring pain into adulthood, leading to improved quality of life and decreased medical costs. Investigators say this shows that the brain better controls pain than the gut in some adolescents with gastrointestinal disorders such as inactive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); diarrhea and parental distress are less robust predictors.

Dr. Srinath will present these data on Sunday, May 8, at 10:30 a.m. CT in S402, McCormick Place.

Physical Activity Reduces Risk for Colon Polyps in a Multiethnic Colorectal Cancer Screening Population (Abstract #Su1545)

Even an hour per week of low-intensity exercise decreases the risk for colon polyps, particularly among overweight and obese individuals, according to researchers at New York University Langone Medical Center.

Previous research has indicated that physical activity may be a protective factor in the development of colon cancer, but studies have not looked at its impact within different racial and ethnic groups. This study enrolled 982 middle-aged patients at a municipal hospital that serves a diverse low-income community, more than half were Hispanic, 20 percent were Asian, and 15 percent were African American.

Dr. Sanchez will present these data on Sunday, May 8, at 8:00 a.m. CT in South Hall, McCormick Place.

Source-Eurekalert