CONDITION
Colon Cancer
Introduction
Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Genetics play a role in colon cancer, but you can take steps to reduce your risk. Women and men are equally likely to get colon cancer. The risk of colon cancer increases after age 50. A high-fiber diet helps reduce the risk of colon cancer. And not just fiber from vegetables, either — fiber from whole grains is important, too. Not smoking reduces the risk of colon cancer. An active lifestyle reduces the risk of colon cancer
Risk Factors for Colon Cancer
Genetics play a role in colon cancer, but you can take steps to reduce your risk.
While genetics play a role in colon cancer, lifestyle choices are the biggest factor. Genetic mutations can cause changes to your DNA that increase your risk of developing cancer. However, you cannot change these genetic factors on your own. It’s important to know that having a family history of colorectal cancer does not mean you have inherited the disease; it simply means that there is an increased possibility of developing it because of the presence of certain inherited mutations within your cells.
If you have a strong family history of colorectal cancer, ask your doctor if genetic testing may be helpful for you—but don’t let any test results stress you out unnecessarily! While genetics do play some role in this disease, reducing risk through healthy lifestyle choices is likely to offer more benefit than worrying about what could happen if genetic factors are present (or absent).
Women and men are equally likely to get colon cancer.
Men and women are equally likely to get colon cancer, but men are more likely to die from it. This is because men are less likely to be diagnosed with the disease in the early stages, when treatment is most effective. More research needs to be done on why this happens so we can help everyone get earlier diagnoses and access better treatment options.
Knowing your family history is crucial in understanding your own risk for colon cancer.
If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should be screened more often and starting at an earlier age. If you are over 50 years old, consider getting screened every year if:
- You have a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) who has had colon cancer
- You have a second-degree relative (aunt or uncle) who has had colon cancer
Age as a Risk Factor
The risk of colon cancer increases after age 45.
You are at an increased risk of colon cancer if you:
- are older than 45 years old
- have a family history of colon cancer
- have had polyps removed from your colon
If you are between the ages of 45 and 50 and have one of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about genetic testing to determine your risk for colorectal cancers.
Impacts of Diet and Lifestyle
Most people who get colon cancer are over 50 years old and have been living with their disease for some time before it was diagnosed.
If you’re under 50 and haven’t experienced any symptoms suggesting a problem or if you’ve had a recent checkup that showed everything to be normal, then you may want to reassess your health habits and look for ways to improve them (such as quitting smoking).
Your diet and lifestyle choices can greatly impact your chances of developing colon cancer.
You may have heard that the risk of colon cancer is largely determined by your genetics. While this is true, it’s not the whole story. Having a family history of colon cancer does increase your risk, but you can still make choices that lower your chances of getting it.
- A high-fiber diet helps reduce the risk of colon cancer.
- Not smoking reduces the risk of colon cancer.
- An active lifestyle reduces the risk of colon cancer.
- Alcohol consumption increases the risk of colon cancer.
A High-Fiber Diet
Fiber is found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Fiber helps you to stay regular and lower cholesterol levels. Fiber also helps to fight heart disease and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
And not just fiber from vegetables, either — fiber from whole grains is important, too.
Colon cancer is a serious disease that can be caused by a number of factors. While you’ve likely heard about fiber’s role in preventing colon cancer, the benefits don’t stop there: fiber may also help people who have already been diagnosed with colon cancer.
In fact, if you have any type of digestive disorder (including irritable bowel syndrome), a high-fiber diet can help relieve or prevent symptoms. Aside from its potential as an aid for people with digestive issues, fiber can also improve heart health and lower cholesterol levels. Fiber helps keep blood sugar levels steady by slowing down digestion and absorption of food into your bloodstream. And that’s not all: it’s also associated with lower rates of diabetes!
Avoid Drinking Excessive Amounts of Alcohol and Not Smoking
The risk of developing colon cancer is greater for those who smoke.
Smoking increases the risk of many types of cancer, including lung and breast cancer. Smoking causes changes in cells that can lead to colon cancer. It also increases your chances of developing colon cancer by:
- Increasing the number of polyps (growths) in your intestines. Polyps are very small tumors that may become large or cancerous over time if they aren’t removed.
- Making it more difficult for cells to repair damage caused by smoking-related chemicals that cause mutations or errors in DNA replication (the process by which we grow new cells).
The risk of colon cancer if you drink alcohol:
There is no specific amount of alcohol consumption that increases your risk of developing colon cancer. However, drinking too much can increase your risk for developing many types of cancers, including those found in the digestive system.
You should avoid binge-drinking (having at least five drinks on one occasion) because it increases the risk for several chronic diseases including pancreatitis and certain types of cancers such as:
- liver cancer
- esophageal cancer
- gastric cardia adenocarcinoma
- stomach adenocarcinoma
- colorectal adenocarcinoma
- rectal adenocarcinoma.
Having An Active Lifestyle
To help reduce your risk for colorectal cancer, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight and get enough physical activity.
Regular physical activity is linked to a lower risk of colon cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults who are at average risk of colon cancer do:
- 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, OR
- 75 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week,
- in ADDITION to muscle strengthening activities on 2 or more days per week.
Conclusion
Colon cancer is a serious disease, and it’s important to understand your risk. If you have any concerns about your family history or personal health, seek the advice of a healthcare professional. Colon cancer can be treated successfully if caught early on — so don’t delay in getting screened!
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