CAPP - Colorectal Adenoma/carcinoma Prevention Programme

Case Studies

My Life with CAPP

I started the CAPP2 study on the 28th of November, 1999 and take one 0.3g aspirin/placebo on a daily basis. Other than being quite constipated for the first three months (this situation has now resolved itself) everything is working again like clockwork - thanks to the continued daily routine of consuming at least five portions of fresh fruit / vegetables and lots of water, and I feel really well. My "challenge" looms up at the end of each year - November. That is when I attend hospital for a colonoscopy - it used to be a three day session but last November I attended the Day Ward which was a much better arrangement. On these occasions I'm usually either like a gibbering idiot or I'm totally mute, however, the last time was helped considerably by having Pam 'calm my feathers' throughout the day. Truthfully though, there is absolutely nothing to worry about - it's just that I forget by the time the next year comes around! M.

CAPP2 or Can Audrey Prevent Polyps Too!

Being diagnosed with cancer is Earth shattering but having a positive attitude and lots of determination can help you contend with difficulties and keep you strong. To take part in a study that may help others as well as myself to fight this disease is a privilege. From day one, there, I have kept a daily diary that not only records any problems as they occur, but also serves as a reminder to take the powders and tablets each day.

I had a colonoscopy at the start of the study. This is not the most pleasant of experiences but I regard it as a necessary evil. Roll on the day when a better method of examining the bowel can be found. A sample of the bowel lining was taken during the examination and was completely painless.

I had started taking the powders gradually so as not to upset my tummy or bowel, although I need not have worried. I had no adverse reaction except perhaps feeling a little bloated at first.

Taking the powders regularly at meal times is the easiest way to remember and you quickly realise which foods mix well to suit your own taste. Each morning at breakfast I take two tablets with a glass of fruit juice and sprinkle a sachet of powder onto my bran flakes. Don't be afraid to experiment. I have found the powders mix well with chocolate mousse but they mix just as easily with yogurt, custard, rice or even porridge. The powders definitely mix better with cold foods rather than hot. If you mix a powder with cold milk or water first, before adding it to hot food such as soup or bolognese sauce, then it mixes easily. The simplest way of all is to mix a powder in some diluted juice and drink it before a meal.

Being on the CAPP2 study does not alter my lifestyle at all. Even on holiday I take all the powders, although I do find it more convenient to drink them each day rather than mixing them with food.

Lastly, for all you chocoholics out there, here is a chocolate recipe for you using a powder. When you are feeling down you can treat yourself knowing that you are joining many others make colon cancer a thing of the past.

In a small dish melt 4 or 5 squares of your favourite chocolate. Stir a powder into the melted chocolate, pressing the mixture down well. Add a teaspoonful of milk if the mixture is too dry. Place the mixture onto a piece of tin foil and wrap it into a bar shape. Leave in the fridge to set then break into pieces. This is especially good with fruit and nut chocolate.

Bon appetite.
Audrey

My Experience with CAPP

When I was recruited for this study last year, I was pleased to know that I would receive a colonoscopy every 2 years. This operation is not in itself a pleasant experience, but I felt that it was worthwhile, as colon cancer is very treatable if detected early. My aim was to ensure that if cancer decided to come back to this area of my body (arguably the area of greatest risk to myself from a genetic point of view); it could be annihilated before having the chance to spread.

So I completed all the necessary forms (if I recall there was only one - and it was not too demanding) and awaited my "goodies". Not long afterwards I received a large box containing foil packs of the starch (or placebo) and the aspirin (or placebo).

Recruits are given a leaflet showing people pretending to enjoy eating the starch in a range of foods - great I thought, this will be easy! However, when I tried mixing the powder with anything, it did not want to dissolve and the taste was not really that pleasant. No problem you might think, but armed with blender and various concoctions I have still not got past dissolving the packs in milk and eating with my cereal (not any cereal I might add, only the sugar covered ones - they're grrreat!) The aspirins are no problems; they don't give you constipation either.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I am afraid I cannot manage 2 packs all the time, there are some days when my stomach looks like it will explode and I get the chance to read all the newspaper. Having taken up running this year, there are times when I have been relieved that no-one wanted to come with me!
K.

Confidence through CAPP

The CAPP2 programme, has given me a little more confidence, that with regular screening, and the possibility that the dietary supplements, I am taking as part of the experiment that if I do develop cancer it will be quickly detected. Or instead that I may never go on to contract cancer at all. Due to my family history, I have always tried to watch my diet, never smoked, and am only an occasional social drinker. I have always held the belief, that this would give me a reasonable chance, not to develop cancer.

Taking the starch supplement twice a day as part of the CAPP2 programme is a bit dispiriting at times. I have tried a number of ways to take it, but have settled on stirring it into a tub of yoghurt. It’s hardly inspiring, but reasonable bearable. I have, with only a few exceptions, stuck to the dosage prescribed, throughout the programme, about six months. The only big break was during my two week summer holiday this year in Malta. I did not relish taking 28 sachets of fine white powder through customs on my way out.

Coping with Starch

Two large boxes arriving at my door chased all the sensible advice I had been given out of my head, all that starch had to be consumed, all those tablets had to be washed down! The sooner I started the better!

On the first day I took starch sachets morning and night, in glasses of fruit juice. I took the tablets in water at lunch time. At least I remembered to take everything after meals! Within two days I was totally “bunged up”. By the end of the week, with no improvement, I had to work out what I’d done wrong. Oh yes! Debbie’s words came back with great clarity, “take the sachets gradually, work up to two sachets a day”. Perhaps I should have taken Ginkgo Biloba as well!! I cut back to a daily sachet for a fortnight, until my digestive system had made the necessary adjustments. For the next fortnight I tried one and a half sachets and found that successful. After a month I was again on the correct dosage, this time without any problems.

The moral of my tale is: - do not rush at the programme. Two years is a long time and there is plenty of time to get it right for yourself!
S

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