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'Westernized' lifestyle increases colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is becoming a global health burden, ranking third in incidence and second in mortality according to GLOBOCAN 2022 statistics. In Vietnam, this disease is increasingly getting younger. Can we prevent colorectal cancer?

Báo Tuổi TrẻBáo Tuổi Trẻ18/03/2025

Ung thư đại trực tràng gia tăng vì lối sông ‘Tây hóa’ - Ảnh 1.

Gastroscopy and colonoscopy help screen for early gastrointestinal cancer - Photo: BVCC

"Westernized" lifestyle increases colorectal cancer

According to Dr. Nguyen Binh Nguyen, Digestive Center , Bach Mai Hospital , the rate of disease is actually increasing rapidly due to two factors: lifestyle and genetics.

"A 'Westernized' lifestyle with a diet high in red meat, processed meat, low in fiber, along with smoking, drinking and lack of exercise are the leading causes. Notably, the disease is not only found in the elderly but is becoming younger, with many cases under 45 years old already suffering from the disease," said Dr. Nguyen.

According to Dr. Nguyen, there are two groups of people at high risk of colorectal cancer . Among them, the elderly (over 45), have a history of chronic enteritis (hemorrhagic colitis, Crohn's), have had abdominal radiation therapy, or have a family member with colorectal cancer, multiple adenomatous polyps.

About 5% of cases are related to genetic mutations such as Lynch syndrome.

The groups that can change are those who are overweight, have type 2 diabetes, have an unhealthy diet, and abuse alcohol and tobacco.

How to reduce the risk of disease?

"There is no way to guarantee 100%, but we can control it with preventive measures," Dr. Nguyen emphasized.

First: Change your lifestyle by losing weight (if you are overweight). Increasing physical activity helps reduce the risk of colon cancer and polyps. Follow a healthy diet such as eating lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and eating less red meat and processed meat. Reduce or stop drinking alcohol, quit smoking.

Second: Regular screening - this is the "golden key" to early detection of precancerous polyps. If polyps are removed promptly, the risk of cancer is reduced by up to 90%.

Regular colorectal cancer screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent colorectal cancer.

Most colorectal cancers develop from precancerous polyps. Polyps grow from small to large, then become dysplastic and cancerous. From the time the first abnormal cells begin to develop into polyps, it usually takes about 10 to 15 years for them to develop into colon cancer.

With regular screening, most polyps can be found and removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer. Screening can also detect colon cancer at an earlier stage, when it has not spread and may be easier to treat, which improves prognosis and survival.

When should I get screened?

Dr. Nguyen said that according to the recommendations of the American Cancer Society, people from 45 years old should be screened even if they have no symptoms.

For people with high risk factors (personal history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, family history of colorectal cancer, history of inflammatory bowel disease, suspected hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, history of abdominal or pelvic radiation therapy), screening should be started earlier, even from 20-30 years of age.

"When symptoms such as abdominal pain, prolonged digestive disorders, bloody stools... appear, they usually appear when the disease has progressed. So don't wait until there are signs to go see a doctor," Dr. Nguyen advised.

Source: https://archive.vietnam.vn/loi-song-tay-hoa-lam-gia-tang-ung-thu-dai-truc-trang/


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