Bowel cancer is soaring among young people: simple lifestyle changes to prevent it

Early onset bowel cancer is increasing among people aged 25 to 49 worldwide, but the increase is greater in England than in other countries, according to a new Lancet study. Lifestyle factors play an important role in increasing the risk of this cancer. Poor diet low in fiber, more ultra-processed foods, obesity and lack of exercise are key factors fueling its growth. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK.
Bowel cancer develops in the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum, and depending on its location, it is called colon cancer or rectal cancer.

Symptoms of bowel cancer include changes in your stools, unusual diarrhea or constipation, increased frequency of visits to the toilet, blood in your stools that may appear red or black, bleeding from the buttocks, feeling like you need to go to the bathroom frequent bowel movements, stomach pain, a lump in the stomach, bloating, losing weight without trying, and feeling very tired for no reason.

Consumption of high amounts of red and processed meat and low fiber intake may be responsible for the high incidence of bowel cancer in the Western world. Additionally, obesity, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, lack of sleep and other factors have been proven to further increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Key points:

Colon or rectal cancer is located at the lower end of the digestive tract.
The first cases may start as non-cancerous polyps. These often have no symptoms but can be detected through screening. For this reason, doctors recommend screenings for people at high risk or over the age of 50, or even earlier if there is a family history of colon cancer.
The symptoms of colorectal cancer depend on the size and location of the cancer. Some common symptoms include changes in bowel habits, changes in stool consistency, blood in the stool, and abdominal discomfort.
Healthy lifestyle changes can significantly help prevent bowel cancer. Here are some you can do.

1. Eat more fiber

The risks of bowel cancer could be significantly reduced with a diet rich in fiber. This includes a wealth of leafy green vegetables, fibrous fruits, nuts and seeds, as well as eating other fiber-rich foods. Foods like whole grains, whole wheat pasta, oats, beans, chickpeas and lentils are all sources of fiber. Eating 30g of fiber per day may reduce the risk of bowel cancer.
According to a study published in Springer, fiber in meals helps reduce transit time through the gastrointestinal tract, dilute colon contents, and improve bacterial fermentation, leading to increased fatty acid production. short chain.

2. Drink enough water

Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water is recommended to prevent the risk of bowel cancer. Water helps flush harmful toxins and waste from the colon, preventing them from building up in the cells of the colon, which could damage the organ. You can increase your fluid intake by drinking milk, sugar-free drinks, fruit juices, smoothies, etc.

3. Exercise regularly

One of the reasons for the increase in colon cancer could be the sedentary lifestyle we lead today. An active lifestyle and workout routine can help reduce the risks of this cancer. Walking, jumping, running, cycling: any workout can be considered to stay active.

4. Lose weight

Obesity or being overweight can increase your risk of bowel cancer. An estimated 11 in 100 (11%) bowel cancers in the UK are linked to people not being at a healthy weight. Making efforts to lose weight can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer.

5. Don’t smoke or drink

While 6 in 100 bowel cancers are caused by alcohol consumption in the UK, 7 of these cases are caused by smoking. The UK’s Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) advise that it is safest not to regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week.
Amid the rise in bowel cancer cases, it is crucial to not only address the risk factors but also remain vigilant for early signs and symptoms. In addition to healthy lifestyle changes, it is important to get screened at the right time, as the majority of cases of bowel cancer can be successfully treated if detected early. Screening can detect bowel cancer even before symptoms appear, which can ensure a high chance of curing the disease.
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