Acıbadem Ataşehir Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Dr. Mehmet Teomete explained 5 effective measures against colon cancer and made important warnings and suggestions.
Nutritional habits play a critical role in the development of digestive system cancers. Insufficient consumption of vegetables, especially meat-based diet, alcohol, excessive sugary foods, excessive consumption of processed meat products such as salami, sausage and sausage, and inactivity and overweight are an invitation to colon cancer. Acıbadem Ataşehir Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Dr. Mehmet Teomete “Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer in men and women in our country. It is seen at a rate of 24.4 percent in men and 15.3 percent in women. An average of 15 citizens a year are diagnosed with colon cancer. The annual number of citizens who die due to colon cancer is around 7.
It's down to young age!
Stating that colon cancer, which was seen most frequently between the ages of 64-74 in the past, is now encountered at younger ages with the effect of unhealthy living habits and obesity. Mehmet Teomete said:
“The incidence of colorectal cancer in young people has been increasing in recent years. Now, people under the age of 40 are also faced with colon cancer. Obesity is also thought to have a major impact on the increase in colon cancer in young people. While a fifth of colon cancers develop due to hereditary reasons, the major reason is due to wrong living habits.
Emphasizing that colon (large intestine) cancer manifests itself most frequently with changes in bowel movements and defecation habits, Medical Oncology Specialist Dr. Mehmet Teomete; He says that it can give symptoms with constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stool, feeling of bloating, thinning of the stool, excessive gas and abdominal pain. For this reason, it is necessary to consider possible changes in bowel movements and defecation habits and to consult a doctor if it does not improve within a few days. Mehmet Teomete “Almost all patients with first stage colon cancer can be cured if detected early. In the second phase, this rate is around 90 percent. However, the chance of treatment decreases in advanced stages. Therefore, early diagnosis of colon cancer is very important.
"As colon cancer is a disease that can be cured with early diagnosis and prevented from developing with measures to be taken, you can take precautions by paying attention to some rules," said Dr. Mehmet Teomete listed those rules as follows:
- Get regular health screenings. Polyps that cause colon cancer can be detected and removed during colonoscopy, preventing them from becoming cancerous.
- Eat the Mediterranean type. Take care to consume seasonal vegetables, fish twice a week, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and dried pulses. Avoid unhealthy diet.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Be at your ideal weight. Obesity is one of the major causes of colon cancer. Therefore, get rid of your excess weight by doing a healthy diet and regular exercise.
- Exercise according to your body. Take care to take regular walks, especially at least three days a week and at least half an hour.