The first World Congress against Cancer was held in Paris 25 years ago, where a historic document was signed to call a global action against this deadly disease. To mark the occasion, every year on 4 February, World Cancer Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of prevention, screening, proper nutrition and exercise, which are also important in case of colorectal cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released the latest estimates of the global burden of cancer for 115 countries. The study estimates that there could be more than 35 million new cases of cancer by 2050, a 77% increase compared to the 20 million cases projected for 2022. Smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and air pollution are the main risk factors. Ten types of cancer are currently responsible for around two-thirds of new cases and deaths, with lung cancer leading the way (12.4 per cent, 2.5 million new cases), followed by breast cancer in women (11.6 per cent, 2.3 million cases) and colorectal cancer (9.6 per cent, 1.9 million cases). Lung cancer also leads in mortality statistics (18.7 percent, 1.8 million deaths), followed by colorectal cancer (9.3 percent, 900 000 deaths).
Even mild symptoms can be warning signs
The malignant tumor, which originates in the lining of the colon, develops slowly and can be relatively well cured at an early stage thanks to modern therapies. The disease does not initially present any symptoms, so regular screening is important. It is also advisable to seek medical advice if symptoms appear or the disease is suspected. These include alternating diarrhea and constipation, changes in bowel habit, bloating (abdominal distention), abdominal pain, and nausea. Blood in the stool may be a sign of colon cancer, but as this can also be caused by the much less dangerous hemorrhoids. So it is worth finding the source of the problem as soon as possible for your peace of mind.
It pays to change your eating habits
Healthy lifestyle is the best strategy to lower the risk of developing cancer. Ensure adequate fiber intake, which can be achieved by eating whole grains, vegetables and fruit. It is also important to avoid alcohol, smoking and, if you are overweight, to lose weight. Some research suggests that higher calcium intake with milk consumption can reduce the risk of recurrence of intestinal polyps, which can later develop into cancer.
The laboratory package offered by the laboratory service provider HR-Pharma in Szeged: