A recent survey revealed that many Americans are unaware of the “risk factors” that may lead to developing colorectal cancer, according to the “Risk Factors” website.Health“Medical news specialist.
According to the survey conducted by the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Ohio State University, in which about 1,000 people participated via the Internet, telecommunications, and telephone, just over half of the participants (51 percent) said that they “do not link alcohol use to colon cancer.”
Meanwhile, 42 percent of people said they “do not link lack of exercise to colon cancer,” while 38 percent expressed their belief that “obesity (excess weight) has no link to colon cancer.”
In the same context, 37 percent of participants said that “a poor diet is not linked to colon cancer.”
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men younger than 50 years.
Commenting on these results, Matthew Grossman, an interventional endoscopist and gastroenterologist at the Atlantic Digestive Health Institute in New Jersey, said: “We talk about risk factors as if they are unchangeable, but many of them are changeable with appropriate education.”
With “simple” changes… How do you protect yourself from half of the cancers?
A doctor specializing in cancer tumors said that more than half of the cases of this disease can be prevented through “simple and sustainable changes.”
In the same context, Sunil Kamath, MD, a gastrointestinal oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic, said: “What is most troubling is that many of these factors are within our control.”
He added: “The main conclusion from this survey is that many cases of colon cancer diagnosed in the United States are preventable.”
The survey found that “lack of awareness” was higher among people of African descent and Latinos, which could mean a higher incidence of colon cancer among that segment of the population.
Kamath explained, “It is known that 4 lifestyle habits (alcohol abuse, lack of exercise, obesity, and eating bad food) can increase the risk of colon cancer.”
Because colon cancer is detected more frequently in younger groups, the recommended age for starting a colonoscopy has recently decreased from 50 to 45 years.
But some people may need to be screened early, including those whose family members had the disease, or whose parents or siblings had polyps found during a colonoscopy.
According to the website “Mayo ClinicColon polyps are small clumps of cells that form on the lining of the colon.
Most colon polyps cause no harm, but over time, some can develop into colon cancer, which can be fatal if detected in its late stages.
Aside from the risk factors, doctors also advise that tests for this malignant disease be performed when there are some symptoms, which include:
- Change in bowel habits
- Blood in stool
- Diarrhea or constipation for a long time
- Feeling that your bowels do not empty completely when using the bathroom
- Chronic abdominal pain or cramps
- Unexplained weight loss
2024-03-05 13:04:39
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