Healthy lifestyle reduces colon cancer risk

Modifying lifestyle like reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking and losing weight reduces a person's risk of colon cancer.

Colon cancer, which results from malignant growth of cells in the large intestine, is a major cause of cancer mortality and is considered to be largely attributable to inappropriate lifestyle and behaviour patterns.

A 2007 report from the World Cancer Research Fund concluded that there was convincing evidence that obesity and high intake of red meat and alcohol contribute to colon cancer.

To look at the known and suspected risk factors of colon cancer, researchers analysed 103 cohort studies published between 1966 and January 2008 in 2 large medical databases - EMBASE and MEDLINE. The studies looked at the association of colon cancer with the following: alcohol, smoking, diabetes, physical activity, meat, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables.

The risk of colorectal cancer was found to be significantly associated with alcohol. Individuals consuming the most alcohol had 60% greater risk of colorectal cancer compared with non- or light drinkers.

A high intake of red and processed meats, smoking, obesity and diabetes were found to be linked to a 20 percent increase in the risk of colorectal cancer. In contrast, people who exercised the most had a 20 percent lower risk of the disease than their sedentary counterparts.

Type 2 diabetes was also closely linked to obesity, and the both can be prevented or managed through a healthy diet and physical activity, further highlighting the importance of lifestyle choices in colon cancer risk.

The above findings suggest that smoking and diabetes are as important in colon cancer risk as obesity and red meat consumption.