Lifestyle changes can reduce colorectal cancer risk

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon). The colon is the final part of the digestive tract. Colon cancer typically affects older adults, though it can happen at any age. It usually begins as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time some of these polyps can become colon cancers. Colon cancer is sometimes called colorectal cancer, which is a term that combines colon cancer and rectal cancer, which begins in the rectum.

A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology examined if lifestyle changes impacted risk of colorectal cancer. The researchers observed 2,799 colorectal cases among 2,95,865 study participants. The researchers of the study concluded that favourable lifestyle changes were associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, whereas unfavourable changes were associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The important lifestyle changes included stopping smoking, limit alcohol intake, exercise regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular colonoscopy screenings after age of 45.