ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer death. But — there are some measures you can take to lower your chances of developing this often-deadly cancer.
About one in every 24 people will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime. And most of the time — your genes are not to blame.
“Only about two to three percent of patients with colon cancers have hereditary disease,” said Ajay Goel, PhD, professor of molecular diagnostics and experimental therapeutics at City of Hope.
So — what can you do to lower your risk? First — eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains.
New research suggests you may also want to up your calcium intake. Researchers found adding 300 milligrams of calcium each day — which is about the amount in a glass of milk — was associated with a 17% lower risk for colorectal cancer. Also — get regular screenings. Most major organizations suggest you should start at age 45 — but not everyone does.
“Half of the population do not follow guidelines, for a variety of reasons, some people can’t afford a colonoscopy, others are afraid of it,” said Prof. Goel.
Colonoscopies not only look for cancer, they also can help doctors remove precancerous polyps, preventing future cancer. Also — stop smoking and don’t drink in excess. Scientists reported that drinking an additional 20 grams of alcohol daily was linked to a 15% higher risk for colorectal cancer. That’s about the amount in a large glass of wine.
“Most of the time, we find these cancers not early enough and by the time we first diagnoses them, it’s too late,” stated Prof. Goel.
It’s never too soon start.
The number of people who have died from colorectal cancer has steadily decreased since the mid-1980s. Experts say this is due to more screening and changing lifestyles.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Chuck Bennethum, Editor.
Sources:
https://colorectalcancer.org/basics/facts-and-statistics
https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/screening-fact-sheet
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/six-ways-to-lower-your-risk-for-colon-cancer.html
* For More Information, Contact: City of Hope Media Relations
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