Uncovering Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer Among Chinese People: Insufficient Vitamin D and Sedentary Lifestyle

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, colorectal cancer is the cancer that most people suffer from in Taiwan. On average, one person is diagnosed with colorectal cancer every 31 minutes. Physicians reminded to stay away from risk factors, eat less red meat, avoid sedentary, regularly do fecal occult blood tests, early detection and treatment, colorectal cancer is a cancer with a high cure rate.

Abdominal distension and pain are common in right bowel cancer, and anemia is mainly caused by changes in bowel habits on the left

Xiao Yizong, director of the Department of Gastroenterology at Zhongxiao Branch of Taipei United Hospital, pointed out that the large intestine is ㄇ-shaped, and colorectal cancer can be roughly divided into right colorectal cancer (ascending colon and cecum), left colorectal cancer (descending colon, sigmoid colon), rectal cancer and Cancer, symptoms are slightly different. Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and anemia are the most common symptoms of right-sided colorectal cancer; changes in bowel habits, loose stools, and bloody stools are the main symptoms of left-sided colorectal cancer, and abdominal pain may occur due to obstruction. The rectum is close to the anus, and the most common symptoms are bleeding, defecation changes, etc. Most people are likely to mistake it for hemorrhoids, thus delaying medical treatment.

Sedentary, less sun exposure increases cancer risk

Why is the risk of colorectal cancer among Chinese people so high? There are several risk factors to be aware of, including a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, obesity, and smoking. In terms of diet, you should avoid the cooking habit of frying and grilling, and reduce the intake of red meat and processed meat. You can add more fruits and vegetables and dietary fiber to stimulate gastrointestinal motility.

It should be noted that “sedentary” is also a risk factor for cancer. According to the study, an increase of 2 hours of sitting time per day will increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 8%, lung cancer by 6%, and endometrial cancer by 10%.

In addition, if you stay indoors for a long time, you will reduce the frequency of sun exposure, and your body will lack vitamin D. Vitamin D has been proven to protect the intestinal tract and reduce the incidence of enteritis or colon cancer. It is recommended that office workers take time out Get up and move around, take a lunch break to go outside to bask in the sun and supplement vitamin D.

It is best to remove polyps over 40 years old and perform regular fecal occult blood screening

Colorectal cancer almost always develops from polyps. If polyps are found, should they be removed? Director Xiao said that polyps are divided into hyperplastic, inflammatory, and adenomatous. Among them, adenomatous polyps are most likely to become cancerous. If any polyp is found that exceeds 1 cm, it is recommended to remove it, especially the older you are, the adenoma The higher the chance of sexual polyps.

In addition, it is recommended that fecal occult blood screening should be done every year over the age of 40. The current government subsidy method is free fecal occult blood testing every 2 years for those aged 50 to 74.