Risks Behind Colorectal Cancer
Reported June 08, 2009
(Ivanhoe Newswire) Unhealthy behaviors like smoking and excessive alcohol use could put you at risk for colorectal cancer.
New research shows patients who drink more than seven drinks per week have a 60-percent greater risk of developing colorectal cancer than non-drinkers. Smoking, diabetes and obesity also showed a link to the disease, increasing ones risk by 20-percent. Previous studies have also shown high intakes of red meat and processed meat increase the risk of the disease by 20 percent.
“Most people probably know that being overweight and having poor dietary habits are risk factors for the disease, but most are probably unaware that other lifestyle risk factors such as alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and diabetes are also important culprits,” Rachel Huxley, an associate professor at The George Institute for International Health in Australia, was quoted as saying.
Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council recommend individuals not drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day and should not smoke cigarettes. Physical activity did lower ones risk of the disease, but high intakes of fruit and vegetables did not.
SOURCE: The George Institute for International Health