How can I protect myself from developing colon and rectal cancer?

Our large intestine consists of the colon and rectum as its two sections, and cancers arising in this organ are called colorectal cancer . In our country, by frequency in both men and women, they rank 3.and a substantial proportion of colorectal cancers develop because of controllable risk factors . In this article, we have compiled information that can help reduce your risk of developing colon and rectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer screening

Screeningmeans looking for cancer or precancerous growths such as polyps ( premalignant lesions ) in people without symptoms. Regular colorectal cancer screening is one of the most powerful ways to prevent colorectal cancer.

From the point when the first abnormal cells begin developing into a polyp , colorectal cancer usually takes approximately 10-15 years to develop. With regular screening, most polyps can be found and removed before they have a chance to become cancerous. For example, colonoscopy screeningcan both detect colorectal cancers at a very early stage and treat polyps before they become cancerous by removing them. Therefore, colonoscopy starting at age 50 and repeated every 10 years is recommended for all adults.

For colorectal cancer, colonoscopy is not the only option; different screening options are also available. People at higher risk, such as those with a family history of colorectal cancer, may benefit from starting screening at a younger age.

If you have a history of colorectal polyps or a family history of colon and rectal cancer, talk to your doctor about your risk. You can receive genetic counseling and have your family medical tree examined to see whether you have a familial cancer syndrome ( for example, Lynch syndrome ).

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Body weight, physical activity and diet

You can reduce your colorectal cancer risk by managing certain risk factors you can control, such as diet and physical activity.

Weight: Being overweight or obese increases colorectal cancer risk in both women and men, but the association appears stronger in men. Having more abdominal fat (that is, a larger waist) significantly increases colorectal cancer risk.

Physical activity: Increasing your activity level reduces the risk of colorectal cancer and polyps. Regular moderate activity (doing things that make you breathe as hard as when moving briskly) lowers risk, but vigorous physical activity may provide greater benefits. Increasing the intensity and amount of physical activity helps reduce your risk.

Diet: In general, diets rich in vegetables, fruit and whole grains, but low in red and processed meat, reduce colorectal cancer risk. Most research has found a link between red meat or processed meat ( sausages, ham, sucuk, pastırma, smoked meat, etc. ) and increased colorectal cancer risk.

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In recent years, some large studies have shown that dietary fiber, particularly from grains, may reduce colon and rectal cancer risk. Research in this area continues.

Alcohol: Many studies have found that increased alcohol intake raises colorectal cancer risk, especially in men.

Smoking and other tobacco products

Many people are unaware that tobacco and tobacco products increase the likelihood of developing colon and rectal cancers. Long-term smoking is linked to increased colorectal cancer risk and many other cancers and health problems. Quitting smoking may help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer and other cancer types. How can I quit smoking is the title of our article that may help with this.

Vitamins, calcium and magnesium

Although some older studies suggested that taking multivitamins containing folic acid daily might reduce colorectal cancer risk, larger studies have not confirmed this claim. Some studies have even suggested that folic acid might help existing tumors grow. More research is needed in this area.

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Some studies have suggested that, without sun exposure, intake from certain foods or vitamin pills of vitamin D may reduce colorectal cancer risk. Because of concerns that excessive sun exposure can cause skin cancer, sunbathing is not recommended as a way to reduce colon and rectal cancer risk. Taking vitamin D as medicine is recommended only if blood vitamin D levels are low.

Low dietary calcium levels have been associated with increased colorectal cancer risk in some studies. Other studies suggest that increased calcium intake may reduce this risk. Beyond its possible effects on cancer risk, calcium is important because of its relationship with several health problems. However, because high calcium intake increases prostate cancer risk in men, we do not recommend specifically increasing calcium intake solely to reduce colorectal cancer risk.

Ultimately, we cannot say that calcium and vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancer.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAİİ drugs )

Many studies have shown that people who regularly take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( such as ibuprofen and naproxen ) have a lower risk of colorectal cancer and polyps.

However, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause serious side effects such as stomach irritation, stomach ulcers and bleeding. We therefore do not recommend taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs unless you are at high risk for colorectal cancers.

However, low-dose aspirin is a somewhat different case. Daily low-dose aspirin ( for example, 100 mg ), used by people at high cardiovascular risk, may also reduce colorectal cancer risk.

If regular use of aspirin or other NSAİİ drugs is being considered, it must be under a doctor's recommendation and supervision.

Hormone replacement therapy for women

Taking estrogen and progesterone after menopause (sometimes called menopausal hormone therapy or combined hormone replacement therapy) may reduce a woman's risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Because taking estrogen and progesterone after menopause can slightly increase a woman's risk of heart disease, blood clots and breast cancer, hormone therapy is generally not recommended solely to reduce colorectal cancer risk.

If you are considering menopausal hormone therapy, be sure to discuss its advantages and disadvantages with your doctor.

In conclusion, you can reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancer, among the most common cancers, through highly effective early-detection screening tests and healthy lifestyle habits. People with a family history should begin screening at an earlier age, consider genetic counseling and discuss long-term low-dose aspirin use with their physicians.