So far, I’ve only reported on those risk factors that cannot be changed. But take heart! There are some risk factors that we CAN control. I believe that knowledge is power, so I’ll be discussing some things that we can do to reduce, or even prevent, our risk of developing colon cancer. Let’s begin with smoking and alcohol use.
Smoking and drinking too much are no-no’s when it comes to our health. Here are a few interesting facts to consider when discussing colon cancer.
First, we all know that smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, but did you know that some of the carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) in cigarettes can mix with saliva? And if we swallow them, they can cause problems with the digestive system — including colon cancer. Think about it . . . if those carcinogens cause cancer in the lungs, then it makes sense that they could cause cancer elsewhere.
Second, drinking too much alcohol causes more than a few problems in our lives. However, the American Cancer Society states that “colorectal cancer has been linked to the heavy use of alcohol”.* It’s interesting to note that it may be because those who use alcohol heavily have lower levels of folic acid in the body. (I’ll discuss that more in the next article.) If we’re going to drink, though, it’s suggested that men stick to no more than 2 drinks per day, and women have no more than 1.
So, there are the two “don’ts” for our first steps to better health. Don’t smoke and don’t drink too much. Easier said than done, I know, but we have to start somewhere. If you smoke or have an alcohol problem, see your doctor for help. And remember that there are people who love you and will try to help you, too.
*http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ColonandRectumCancer/DetailedGuide/colorectal-cancer-risk-factors
