ACCORDING TO A LARGE EUROPEAN STUDY, you may lower your colorectal cancer risk through lifestyle management. Today, I will give you 4 tips for reducing colon cancer risk.
Historical studies demonstrated an association between an unhealthy lifestyle and cancer risk. For example, excessive weight is linked to a higher risk, and smoking cessation is linked to a lower risk of cancer.
But what about the relationship between lifestyle and colorectal cancer risk? Researchers recently investigated the impact of changes in lifestyle habits on colorectal cancer risk.
Lifestyle and colorectal cancer risk
To better understand the relationship between lifestyle and colorectal cancer risk, researchers followed nearly 300,000 individuals who participated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC) for a median of 7.8 years.
The subjects were from 35 to 70 and lived in several European countries. The researchers calculated a healthy lifestyle index (HLI) score based on the following:
- Smoking status
- Alcohol consumption
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Physical activity
The study authors assigned scores (ranging from 0 to 16) based on these lifestyle factors. After a median follow-up time of 5.7 years, researchers discovered the following:
A one-unit increase in the healthy lifestyle index score was associated with a three percent lower risk for colorectal cancer. When the researchers grouped the HLI scores by tertiles, improvements from an “unfavorable lifestyle (scores 0 to 9) to a favorable one (12 to 16) were associated with a nearly one-quarter (23 percent) lower risk of colorectal cancer.
The reverse held, too: A decline from a “favorable lifestyle” to an “unfavorable one” appeared to be associated with a 1.34 times increase in cancer risk.
Body mass index, alcohol, activity, and smoking
Body mass index rises trended toward an association with colorectal cancer risk. Decreased alcohol intake appeared to be linked with a reduction in colorectal cancer risk among those 55 or younger.
Physical activity increases were associated with a lower risk for proximal (the first portions) colon cancer risk, particularly among younger participants. Not surprisingly, reductions in smoking appeared to be associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer.
The researchers had insufficient nutrition information to comment on diet and colorectal cancer risk.
My take – Reducing Your Colorectal Cancer Risk
Improving adherence to a healthy diet appears to drop colorectal cancer risk. On the other hand, worsening adherence is associated with risk elevation.
The study results are more fuel in support of healthy lifestyle changes (and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle) for colorectal cancer risk reduction. While the current study is observational (and cannot establish causality), it adds to a growing body of evidence that healthy habits can reduce your cancer risk.
The four tips to reduce colorectal cancer risk:
- Don’t smoke
- Don’t drink too much
- Maintain a good body mass index
- Move.
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for joining me for this brief look at 4 tips for reducing colorectal cancer risk.
