It is estimated that each year in the US about 140,000 new cases are diagnosed of colorectal cancer, among which is the colon cancer and rectal cancer.
Colon cancer is a disease that usually appears on a polyp in the mucosa of the colon, which from different causes evolves into a malignant tumor. Usually the malignant cells are located in the longest part of the large intestine, as well as in the intermediate portion.
As surely you know, the colon is the place where stool is stored before being expelled to the outside through the anus. That is, it accumulates waste substances, so it becomes a place certainly conducive to the appearance of a malignant tumor.
It is a type of cancer that usually appears from the age of 40. That is why more and more experts are asking for early detection tests to be carried out at younger ages, rather than from the age of 50-55.
Among the most commonly used tests for early detection, the American Cancer Society advice to perform CT colonography every 5 years, a colonoscopy every 10 years, a double contrast barium enema every 5 years, or a flexible sigmoidoscopy test every 5 years.
On the other hand, there are also other tests considered as equally effective as a colonoscopy, such as the fecal occult blood test or the fecal immunochemical test.
What are the main causes of colon cancer that can be prevented?
As scientific studies have shown, as is the case with other types of cancer, but in colon cancer with a higher incidence, colorectal cancer is closely related to the lifestyle and diet that we follow throughout our lives.
That is why there are some causes that can help prevent colon cancer. How? Very simple: changing certain habits, improving our way of life and taking care of the food that we consume every day.
Did you know that excess weight is related to colon cancer? In fact, it is known that a higher body mass index is strongly associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
It appears that abdominal obesity due to the distribution of fat in the body is an important factor.
It is treated as we see a cause easily avoidable and preventable. Simply change our food especially if we follow a unbalanced and unhealthy diet (that is, we consume foods high in fat and sugars), and opt for healthy, fresh and natural foods. These foods include fruits and vegetables, being rich in fiber.
The constipation is also a cause related to colon cancer. We must keep in mind that the colon is along with the rectum where feces are stored just before being expelled to the outside through the anus.
Therefore, it is important to reduce the time of accumulation of feces in the large intestine, following a varied and balanced diet that helps and improves intestinal transit. A good option is to consume foods rich in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits and fresh vegetables, as well as nuts and legumes.
Cereals include oats, barley, rye and germ and wheat bran. Also nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts. On the other hand, other foods such as lentils, beans, peas and flax seeds stand out.
Remove sausages and reduce red meat
The relationship between the usual consumption of sausages, cold meats (processed meats) and red meats with colorectal cancer, increasing the risk and the impact the larger and more excessive is its consumption.
Move and avoid physical inactivity
Following a sedentary lifestyle promotes the onset of colon cancer. In fact, it is estimated that the probability of suffering it increases by 8% when you have an increase of sedentary 2 hours per day.
The same is true of sedentary work, which may increase the risk of certain long-term chronic diseases, including colorectal cancer.
What is the solution? Although it is true that sedentary work is related to the risk of cancer despite the fact that during free time practiced physical exercise, we must avoid being sedentary, practicing sport on a regular basis.
Causes that cannot be prevented
However, there are certain causes that cannot be prevented, especially in the presence of familial colonic polyposis (affects 1% of colon cancers, appears during adolescence and causes multiple polyps in the clone and rectum, as a result of a mutation Of the APC gene passed from parent to child), or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (supposes 5% of tumors and occurs in patients who do not have polyps).