Colon cancer is reported to be on the rise among young adults. Colorectal cancer is often thought to affect the elderly. The American Cancer Society points out that one in five cancers diagnosed today occur in people under the age of 55.
According to the study published in the journal Science, several factors such as environmental and genetic factors contribute to colon cancer. About one-third of colon cancers are also linked to heredity.
Obesity increases the risk of colon cancer, said Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of cancer surveillance research at the American Cancer Society. Colon cancer is caused by excess body weight. Other possible factors include high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and high consumption of red and processed meat.
‘Genetic and lifestyle factors play a major role in colon cancer. Experts say it is important to have a colonoscopy every three years. Other risk factors that increase the risk of colon cancer include obesity, alcohol, smoking, unhealthy lifestyle, and an unbalanced diet.
All of these risk factors have an impact on the microbiome. Colon cancer occurs when healthy cells in the lining of the colon or rectum change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor.
“If the cancer is caught early, the survival rate is 90 percent…” said Reed Ness, associate professor of gastroenterology medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of colon cancer. Symptoms of colon cancer include bloody stools, black stools, fatigue due to lack of blood, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements (constipation, diarrhoea), body fatigue and loss of appetite.
Seeing blood in urine can be a sign of this cancer…
Last Updated Mar 21, 2023, 12:51 PM IST