By Administrator at 22 Nov 2016, 07:30 AM

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S., and about 1 in 21 men will develop the disease during their lifetime. Lifestyle factors, including diet, are known to play a role, but there are also 37 genetic mutations that may increase your risk of colon cancer.

Those at high risk, genetically speaking (in the top 10 percent), have about double the chance of being diagnosed with colon cancer as people not genetically prone. The silver lining is that even people who have genetic risk factors for colon cancer may be able to lower their risk significantly by leading a healthy lifestyle, according to new research published in Genetics in Medicine.

The study authors analyzed data from more than 1.4 million British men in their late 50s. Close to one-quarter of them were at high risk of colon cancer genetically, such that their risk of being diagnosed was closer to men aged 60 and over.

Among these high-risk men, however, leading a healthy lifestyle significantly cut colon cancer risk — from 30 percent down to 13 percent. What types of healthy lifestyle factors lowered the risk?

• Cutting back on alcohol and red-meat consumption
• Eating more fruits and vegetables
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Staying active
• Not smoking
  
  

If 10,000 men with genes predisposing them to colon cancer were to adopt all of these suggestions, 600 cases of colon cancer could be prevented in a 25-year period, according to the researchers.

Taking steps to identify men with the highest genetic risks of this disease could be instrumental in prevention, as targeted health messages could then be delivered, detailing lifestyle changes the men could make to lower their risk.

That being said, virtually everyone stands to benefit from adopting these changes, whether they’re high risk or not. Andrew Chan, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston who was not involved in the study, told UPI:

“I think these lifestyle factors are things that everyone should strive to achieve if they can — everyone can benefit …

[The study] confirms some other previous studies, which have shown that adjusting one's lifestyle can really have substantial impact on whether one will develop colon cancer … These types of interventions will work to some degree across the board.”

In addition to the healthy lifestyle changes noted above, the American Cancer Society recommends the following steps to reduce your risk of colon cancer:

• Avoid obesity and weight gain around your midsection
• Increase the intensity and amount of your physical activity
• Limit your intake of processed meats
• Get the recommended levels of calcium and vitamin D

Sources
Genetics in Medicine August 4, 2016
UPI October 19, 2016
American Cancer Society, Colorectal Cancer

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