Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It’s as common in women as it is in men. In 2012, an estimated 23,300 Canadians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Overall, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in men and women combined in Canada.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors
Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors
· People age 50 and older
· People who smoke
· People who are overweight or obese, especially those who carry fat around their waists
· People who aren’t physically active
· People who drink alcohol in excess, especially men
· People who eat a lot of red meat (such as beef, pork or lamb) or processed meat (such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs or cold cuts)
· People with personal or family histories of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps
· People with personal histories of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
Colorectal Cancer Prevention
· Be physically active for at least 30 minutes, at least five days a week.
· Maintain a healthy weight.
· Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit.
· If you drink alcohol, have no more than one drink a day if you’re a woman or two drinks a day if you’re a man.
· Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help you get and stay healthy.
· Eat less red meat and cut out processed meat.
With certain types of screening, this cancer can be prevented by removing polyps (grape-like growths on the wall of the intestine) if detected early, colorectal cancer can be more easily and successfully treated.
