A colon cancer expert has revealed the four things people should do to hold off the horrific disease as "sky-rocketing rates" are being detected among young people.
Colon cancer rates among people under 40s are expected to double by 2030, according to experts and colorectal cancer as a whole is showing a similar trend.
Around 153,000 colorectal cancer cases are likely to be detected this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Around 19,500 of these prospective patients are under the age of 50.
Mirror Online spoke to Dr Katrina Pedersen, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine. The doctor explained the four things you can do to prevent colon cancer.
Getting a good night's sleep
It sounds obvious but rest is essential for good health
Dr Pedersen said: "This one is the least spoken about but getting enough sleep each night is so important. For the average adult this is around seven to eight hours per night.
"It keeps your immune system functioning appropriately and especially the cancer killing part of the immune system."
Diet
Although colorectal cancer rates are on the rise, the number of cases connected to genetic issues are staying level. So experts are looking for other causes.
Dr Pedersen said: "There’s unequivocal data that ultra processed foods, which honestly are most foods that come in a package these days, are contributing to bowel cancers.
"If you think about diets of people in the 50s and 60s compared to those now. The majority of diets here in the US"
Her advice: "Avoid processed foods, minimising red meats, and eating as many fruits, vegetables and high fibre things as possible. This has shown to decrease the chance of colon cancer."
Physical activity
Poor diet and obesity go hand in hand. Both have been seen to affect rates of colon cancer.
Dr Pedersen says: "We’re seeing that people who are obese at a young age, even if they lose the weight the risk remains elevated. So lifestyle is part of it."
To counteract this, she gave some simple advice: "Physical activity. For simplicity I say every day. But you should get your heart pumping faster than it normally would for around 30 minutes."
'Check your poop'
It's not glamorous but your poo can be a key indicator
Dr Pedersen said: "Checking your poop. Take a look at it after you go each time. Look for any blood.
"If it seems narrow - some can even get pencil thin. If a tumour is found blocking the exit the stool can only squeeze through."
The importance of this was emphasised to the Mirror by another expert - Dr Tiago Biachi is an Associate Member in the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Dr Biachi said: "If you are going to the bathroom all your life once a day and then all of a sudden you start going once or twice a week, then I’m not saying it’s cancer but its something going on.
"So if you have the same diet and habit, this has to be something evaluated. We’re talking about the colon but if you’re losing weight it can be caused by many issues."
