National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is held in March every year, when healthcare providers educate their community about the diseases of colon and rectum in order to promote awareness of the importance of colorectal cancer screening, prevention, and treatment. Colorectal cancer, cancer starting in the colon or the rectum, is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women, after breast cancer. It’s the second most common cause of deaths due to cancer worldwide, causing almost 1 million deaths. Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.
The risk factors of colorectal cancer
includes Obesity, Lifestyle diseases such as
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus, Physical inactivity, Ageing, Smoking, Alcohol
abuse, Family history, History of
colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer, IBD,
Diet high in red meats (such as beef, pork,
lamb, or liver) and processed meats (like hot dogs and some luncheon meats),
etc.
One can reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer by adopting healthier
lifestyle habits like increased intake of fruit and vegetables, less meat,
particularly processed meat, higher levels of physical activity such as walking
or cycling to work or climbing the stairs instead of using the lift, quitting
smoking and reducing or avoiding alcohol consumption. This will help to improve
general overall health as well, and reduce the risk of many other diseases, not
just colorectal cancer.
The Necessity of the Hour:
- Screening
- High-quality care
- Clinical trials
- Precision medicine
- Supportive communities
This March, let’s join together in sharing awareness about screening of colorectal cancer, and it’s care as well as cure.
