Colon cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is being diagnosed in increasing numbers of young people across the United States.
Colon cancer among young Americans in their 30s and 40s increases by about 2% each year. Scientists and health officials do not know the exact cause behind this increase. However, there are known behaviors that contribute to colon cancer risk.
It's important to change these habits as early in life as possible to lower your risk of colorectal cancer.
“Understanding your risk for colorectal cancer is very important,” says Dr. Matthew Carady of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Some things you can control, and some things you can't.”
A new study conducted at the OSU Cancer Center found that Americans are more likely to know about factors outside of their control, such as family history, than about factors that are within their control.
According to the study, more than half of Americans (51%) did not know that alcohol consumption was a risk factor for colon cancer. More than a third, 38%, could not identify risk factors such as obesity or a Western diet high in red meat and processed foods.
“These are the ones that commonly affect colon cancer, but there are some that seem to be a little more prevalent in some younger people these days,” Dr. Kalady said.
To lower your risk of colon cancer, it is important to practice a healthy diet and exercise and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption as early as possible in life.
For people at average risk, the recommended age to start colon cancer screening is 45, but this age was recently lowered from 50 because of the rise in cases among younger people. People who are at higher risk, perhaps due to family history or inflammatory bowel disease, should start screening even earlier. Talk directly to your doctor about when to start screening.
Watch Frank McGeorge's full report in the video above.
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