5.40pm
Monday 19 December 2022
I wrote – Asmaa Morsi
Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer in both men and women, and smart dietary choices can help you reduce your chances of developing it.
Below, we provide you with some symptoms and warning signs, risk factors, and a list of foods that contribute to colon cancer prevention, according to the websites “webmd” and “mayoclinic.”
Symptoms and warning signs:
A constant change in bowel movement, whether it’s diarrhea or constipation, or a change in stool consistency.
Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as painful cramping, gas, or pain.
A feeling that the bowel is not completely empty.
Weakness or tiredness.
Unexplained weight loss.
Many people with colon cancer show no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but once symptoms appear, they can vary depending on the size of the tumor and its location within the large intestine.
the reasons:
Colon cancer occurs when changes (mutations) occur in the DNA of healthy colon cells. The cell’s DNA contains a set of instructions that direct the cell what to do.
Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly fashion to keep the body functioning normally, but when DNA is damaged and cancer develops, the cells continue to divide, even when new cells are not needed, cells can accumulate to form a tumor.
Over time, cancer cells can grow to invade and destroy nearby normal tissue, and cancer cells can travel to and settle in other parts of the body.
Risk factors:
Factors that can increase your risk of colon cancer include:
1- Age: 90% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are over 50 years old.
2- Inflammatory bowel disease: Chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, can increase the risk of colon cancer.
3- Hereditary syndromes: Some genetic mutations passed on by different family members greatly increase the risk of colon cancer, such as: familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
4- A family history of colon cancer: You become more likely if one of your relatives has the disease.
5- Laziness: Lazy people are more likely to develop colon cancer.
6- Diabetes: People with diabetes or insulin resistance are more likely to develop colon cancer.
7- Obesity: Obese people have an increased risk of infection.
8- Smoking: Smokers are more likely to develop colon cancer.
9- Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of infection.
Foods That Prevent Colon Cancer:
1- Dairy products:
Calcium-rich dairy products help reduce the chances of developing colon polyps.
2- Whole grains:
They’re packed with nutrients and are good sources of magnesium and fiber, keep stool moving, and help control cancer-causing compounds in the colon, including: oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and brown rice.
3- Beans:
These legumes, and others such as soybeans, peas and lentils, are high in fiber, protein, and vitamins B and E. They also contain compounds called flavonoids, which can prevent the growth of tumors, as well as some antioxidants that can help to protect you from colon cancer.
4- Colorful fruits and vegetables:
They contain natural substances that prevent the growth of cancer cells and fight inflammation that can fuel cancer.
5- Fish:
Salmon, like salmon, is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health and can slow the growth of cancer cells.
