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Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors You Can Change

Ralph Teller, Ironman Triathlete

Ralph Teller, Ironman Triathlete

There are certain colorectal cancer risk factors that can’t be changed, such as (i) over 50 years of age, (ii) racial and ethnic background, such as American Indian and Alaska Native people, African American men and women, and Jews of Eastern European descent , (iii) men, (iv) a personal history of colorectal polyps, (iv) a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, and (v) a personal history of radiation to the abdomen or pelvis area.

Eight risk factors you can change

However, there are eight risk factors you can change to lower your colorectal cancer risks.

1. Calcium intake. A daily glass of milk lowers bowel cancer risk by 17% driven largely or wholly by calcium intake. More about Milk Protects Against Colorectal Cancer

2. Average weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer, especially among men. A focused routine change of lower food intake, especially lowering your intake of heavily processed foods will help in weight loss. See Weight Loss Passive Habits for Slow but Steady Natural Weight Control and Natural Weight Loss

3. Physical activity. Being physically inactive increases your colorectal cancer risks. Adding exercise to your daily routine by simply taking a walk or hike, or bicycle riding, will help reduce your colorectal cancer risks. See Exercise is Medicine

4. Type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes mellitus are more likely than people who don’t to develop colorectal cancer. Researchers suspect that this higher risk may be due to high levels of insulin in people with diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes can be managed. More about Natural Ways to Help Prevent and Treat Type 2 Diabetes

5. Processed meats. A long-term diet that’s high in processed meats, like hot dogs and some lunch meats, raises your colorectal cancer risk. Cooking meats at very high temperatures (frying, broiling, or grilling) creates chemicals that might raise your cancer risk.

6. Vitamin D. Having low blood levels of vitamin D can increase your risk of colorectal cancer. Regular day walks or sitting in the sun will solve vitamin D deficiency.

7. Smoking. Smoking increases your risk of colorectal cancer and many other cancers. Smoking is not easy to quit, but quitting is very achievable. More about Natural Ways and Tips to Help Quite Cigarette Smoking

8. Alcohol use. Colorectal cancer has been linked to moderate to heavy alchohol use.

For a more detailed account of risk factors within your control to change to reduce colorectal cancer risks published by the American Cancer Society see Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors.

More about Ralph Teller