Colorectal cancer is Third –The most common type of cancer in the world. In the early stages, it can be difficult to catch. Symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anemia can easily be overlooked or mistaken for other, more benign problems.
Colorectal cancer diagnoses also surge among young people. The cause, while unclear, is likely multifactorial, with genes, environmental exposures and lifestyle all playing a role. What we know is that when colon cancer Early detection leads to effective treatment.
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Fortunately, there are many things you can do to take control of your gut health. We asked Dr. Ursina Teitelbaummedical oncologist and chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal Cancers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Abramson Cancer Center,about The most common mistakes worth avoiding for the sake of your gut health. Here’s what Teitelbaum says she personally should avoid, and what you should avoid:
1. I will never ignore my family history.
Family history is one of the strongest risk factors for colorectal cancer. As many as one-third of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have a family member who also has colorectal cancer. Cancer runs in families for several reasons: genetics, shared environmental factorsand some combination of the two, according to American Cancer Society.
Because the health of your relatives directly affects your personal risk of colon cancer, it’s important to know your family history. Teitelbaum recommends asking your parents, siblings, or other relatives if any family members, including grandparents, cousins, or uncles or aunts, have ever been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
For example, if you find out that a first-degree relative has colon cancer, we would recommend that you start screening as early as possible. “Your colon health depends on your genes,” says Teitelbaum.
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2. I will never miss or delay a colonoscopy and screening test.
Colorectal cancer cases have been rapid increase among young people. Although the disease affects less than 1% of adults, the surge in incidence makes early screening and diagnosis even more important.
Because of this alarming trend, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has released a new Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines In 2021, we will strive to catch more cases. Now, it is recommended that all adults be screened starting at age 45, either through a colonoscopy or a stool test.
Regular colonoscopies are especially important for people with inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, because these conditions increase the risk of colorectal cancer. But even healthy people with no family history can develop colorectal cancer.
“No matter how healthy your lifestyle is, when you reach a certain age“You need to get screened,” Teitelbaum said. Getting screened is the best way to detect colon cancer early and treat it.
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Testing is extremely important. Gahsoon from Getty Images
3. I will not ignore any strange or unusual symptoms.
Doctors across the country are noticing that many young people don’t think their unusual symptoms could be cancer, Teitelbaum said. And because they are so young, health care providers may not immediately suspect a problem, either. This may lead to delayed diagnosis and poorer outcomes, Research show. takeout? you have “Pay attention to your body,” Teitelbaum stresses.
Keep an eye out for any changes in bowel habits – if you’ve always had regular bowel movements but now feel constipated frequently, or notice blood in your stool along with abdominal pain, it’s worth seeing your doctor. Diarrhea, fatigue, or unexplained anemia also warrant a physical exam.
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It’s important to advocate for yourself. If you feel your doctor is not taking your symptoms seriously, seek a second opinion. “If you’re really worried, you need to hang in there,” Teitelbaum said.
4. I don’t underestimate the power of a healthy lifestyle.
Although little is known about the causes of colon cancer, more than half of colorectal cancers are related to: Modifiable lifestyle factors. Smoking, drinking and a sedentary lifestyle are thought to be closely linked to an increased risk of colon cancer, the Daily Mail reported. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
your diet also plays a big role. red meat and overly processed foodFoods such as soda, candy, and cookies are associated with a higher risk of colon cancer, while vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are associated with a lower risk.
“There are no perfect predictors of colon cancer, but globally, a healthy lifestyle may help” avoid colon cancer, Teitelbaum said.
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5. I will never shy away from talking about poop.
Finally, Teitelbaum recommends learning to talk about poop. The more open we are about this topic, the better off we will be Break the stigma Talk about it around.
Sometimes, irregular bowel movements—such as stools that are pencil-thin or bloody—are the only clue that something is wrong. Without telling others what you’re going through, it’s hard to know if what you’re experiencing is unusual.
Teitelbaum says it can be embarrassing to talk about poop, but we have to do it. “Poop represents your health, and talking about it can save your life,” she said.
The original version of this story was published earlier on The Huffington Post.
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