Compared to other types of cancer, the number of people in my lifetime who have died from this disease is two to one, but this is not an indication of similarity. Symptoms include things like blood in the stool, weight loss, excessive tiredness, and worsening constipation. Causes include high alcohol intakes; red meats; processed meats; obesity; tuxedo; and lack of exercise. It is only partially related to genetic factors.
Preventive measures include things like screening in which a colonoscopy can determine the presence of polyps that can turn into cancerous growths. They can be removed during the procedure and therefore reduce the risk.
It is ranked as the third most common cancer and occurs more often in men than women. This may be due to diet and lifestyle, as women tend to eat more vegetables and be more organized in later life, although that’s more of an assumption than anything else.
Men also drink more on average than women. They have a greater tendency to eat red meat and processed foods. It is reported that 75% to 95% occur in people without genetic risk factors, making it more likely to be associated with environment and lifestyle.
With greater risk factors are those who suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Crohn’s disease. For them, treatment with aspirin and periodic colonoscopies are recommended. There, preventive measures include drinking at least 5 glasses of water a day, getting plenty of regular exercise, leaning more towards a vegetarian diet, and staying away from alcohol and other carcinogenic substances.
The suffering of the people I know who have died from this insidious disease has been severe. One of them started with prostate cancer that later spread. Men are less likely to get an early diagnosis of symptoms, and whether out of fear or silliness, who’s to say. The five most common forms of cancer in men start with prostate, then lung, colorectal, bladder, and melanoma.
The bottom line is to get your symptoms checked out, no matter how small they may seem. Lumps anywhere on the body definitely warrant a diagnosis, and any change in bowel movements or habits is definitely a doctor’s call. Early diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death.
