Even if there is no sure way to prevent colorectal cancer, there are things you can do that might help lower your risk. Screening is one of those factors you can control and which help you to reduce the risk to develop a colorectal cancer. The earlier a colorectal cancer is detected, the easier it is treated. Screening is very important.
Various factors might help lower your risk such as weight, physical activity, diet, alcohol, smoking…
The following article entitled “Can colorectal cancer be prevented” from American Cancer Society talks about colorectal cancer risk factors.
To read the full article : https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
Written by : The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Colorectal cancer screening
Screening is the process of looking for cancer or pre-cancer in people who have no symptoms of the disease. Regular colorectal cancer screening is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer.
From the time the first abnormal cells start to grow into polyps, it usually takes about 10 to 15 years for them to develop into colorectal cancer. With regular screening, most polyps can be found and removed before they have the chance to turn into cancer. Screening can also find colorectal cancer early, when it’s small and easier to treat.
Screening is recommended starting at age 50 for people who are not at increased risk of colorectal cancer. There are several different screening options available. People at higher risk, such as those with a strong family history of colorectal cancer, might benefit from starting screening at a younger age.
If you have a strong family history of colorectal polyps or cancer, talk with your doctor about your risk. You might benefit from genetic counseling to review your family medical tree to see how likely it is that you have a family cancer syndrome.
Body weight, physical activity, and diet
You might be able to lower your risk of colorectal cancer by managing some of the risk factors that you can control, like diet and physical activity.
Weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of colorectal cancer in both men and women, but the link seems to be stronger in men. Having more belly fat (that is, a larger waistline) has also been linked to colorectal cancer. Staying at a healthy weight and avoiding weight gain around the midsection may help lower your risk.
Physical activity: Increasing your level of activity lowers your risk of colorectal cancer and polyps. Regular moderate activity (doing things that make you breathe as hard as you would during a brisk walk) lowers the risk, but vigorous activity might have an
even greater benefit. Increasing the intensity and amount of your physical activity may help reduce your risk.
Diet: Overall, diets that are high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains (and low in red and processed meats) have been linked with lower colorectal cancer risk, although it’s not exactly clear which factors are important. Many studies have found a link between red meats (beef, pork, and lamb) or processed meats (such as hot dogs, sausage, and lunch meats) and increased colorectal cancer risk. Limiting red and processed meats and eating more vegetables and fruits may help lower your risk.
In recent years, some large studies have suggested that fiber in the diet, especially from whole grains, may lower colorectal cancer risk. Research in this area is still under way.
