Cancer is known for its malignancy. However, compared to other types of cancer, colorectal cancer has not been widely discussed. Colorectal cancer is the third most common disease and the second most deadly disease in the world. How far do you already know about colorectal cancer, Ladies? Let's talk about risk factors and ways to prevent colorectal cancer!
Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors
Various factors can increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, such as:
- As you age, the risk of developing colorectal cancer will be higher.
- Presence of digestive tract inflammation such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Genetic syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.
- Lack of physical activity
- Rarely consume fruits and vegetables
- Low-fiber and high-fat diet
- Overweight or obesity
- Consuming alcohol
- Smoke
How to Prevent Colorectal Cancer
Then, how to prevent colorectal cancer? Of course, by avoiding and reducing risk factors, such as the following:
- Maintain a normal weight.
- Be active by doing a variety of moderate to vigorous activities regularly, accompanied by limiting sitting and lying down.
- Eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and low in red and processed meat is possible.
- Do not consume alcohol.
- Do not smoke
Several studies have shown that vitamin D, which we can get from sun exposure in certain foods or vitamin pill supplements, can also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and other cancers. Even so, this method is not recommended because of concerns that excessive sun exposure can cause skin cancer.
Calcium, which works together with vitamin D, will reduce the risk of colorectal cancer because vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Further prevention can be done by regularly taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Although, this method is also not recommended because it can cause bleeding from stomach irritation.
After getting to know the risk factors and how to prevent colorectal cancer, hopefully, we can avoid risk factors and do things that can prevent colorectal cancer in our daily lives, ladies!
Sources:
Recio-Boiles, A., & Cagir, B. (2022). Colon Cancer. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. (2022). What Are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer?. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. (2020). Can Colorectal Cancer Be Prevented?. The American Cancer Society