Cancer Surgeon's Tips for Colorectal Cancer Prevention

A risk factor is anything that improves your chances of developing cancer. Risk factors usually influence cancer growth, but they do not directly cause cancer. Some people with numerous risk factors never develop cancer, but others with no known risk factors do. Knowing your risk factors and consulting them with your doctor will be helpful for you to make health care choices, says a surgical oncologist in Kolkata.

 

 

Risk factors

People with an average risk of colorectal cancer have approximately a 5% chance of developing colorectal cancer overall. Usually, most colorectal cancers are sporadic, so there is no chance of passing these genetic changes to one’s children. However, the factors mentioned below can raise a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer:

• Age

• Race

• Gender

• Family history of colorectal cancer

• Inflammatory bowel disease 

• Adenomatous polyps

• Personal history of certain types of cancer

• Physical inactivity and obesity

• Food/diet

• Smoking

Prevention

According to the cancer doctor in Kolkata, different factors cause different kinds of cancer. Although there is no proven way to prevent colorectal cancer completely, you can lower your risk by taking a few measures. Consult your doctor to know about your risk of developing colorectal cancer. The following can lower a person’s risk of colorectal cancer:

• To start getting your regular colorectal cancer screening at age 45. If you have a family or personal history of cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, consult a doctor about early screening, says the cancer surgeon in Kolkata.

• Eat enough fibre. Try to eat between 25 to 30 grams of fibre every day. Whole grain, vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, bread and cereals are excellent sources of fibre.

• Limit red meat and processed meat as these have been connected to an enhanced risk of colorectal cancer. Diets that contain vegetables, fruits and whole grains decrease the risk of colorectal cancer.

• Limit alcohol and quit smoking. Researchers have found a link between alcohol and smoking and colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers. 

Maintain a healthy weight. Being obese enhances the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Eating healthy physical activity helps you to maintain your weight, says the surgical oncologist in kolkata.