Five Things to Know about Colorectal Cancer

July 6, 2020 by gjsturm88 1 Comment

 Today we’ll discuss five things to know about Colorectal Cancer:

1. Despite being one of the more preventable forms of cancer, colorectal cancer is the 2^nd leading cause of cancer death in the US, at about 50,000 deaths a year

 

2. Risk of colorectal cancer increases with age and is most common among adults age 50 and older and those with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps

 

3. Several lifestyle factors increase the risks of colorectal cancer, including lack of exercise, diets low in fruits and vegetables, low-fiber and high-fat diets, being overweight or obese, heavy alcohol consumption, and tobacco use

 

4. Cancer screenings, such as colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies, are essential for early detection of colorectal cancer and the potential removal of cancerous polyps

 

5. About 50% of colorectal cancer cases are preventable through lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, decreasing alcohol, red meat, and processed meat consumption, and increasing dietary fiber, calcium, and fruit and vegetable consumption.