Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. In fact, in 2009, 136,717 people were diagnosed with colon cancer and 51,849 died from it.(1) Colonoscopies are one of the most common medical procedures done today. A colonoscopy is performed in order to identify a growth or a polyp at an early stage so that it can be removed it before it becomes cancerous. Colonoscopies are one of the few preventive procedures in conventional medicine that actually improve mortality.
It is well known that patients who have colonic polyps removed at an increased risk of recurrence. A recent study looked at the efficacy of using antioxidants to prevent recurrent colonic polyps in patients who have undergone colonoscopic removal of polyps.(2)
The scientists conducted a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial which began in 1988. 411 subjects were randomized to receive either a placebo or an active compound—taken daily–containing selenium (200ug), zinc (30mg), vitamin A (2mg), vitamin C (180mg), and vitamin E (30mg).
The authors found that the 15-year cumulative incidence of recurrent polyps in the antioxidant group was 39% reduced as compared to the placebo group.
