Cancer prevention Those who observe these five rules can prevent colon cancer

Prevent colon cancer: These five simple tips reduce the risk of illness

According to health experts, colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in Germany. Many diseases, however, would be avoidable. Researchers have now shown that anyone can reduce their personal colorectal cancer risk by following five simple rules.

Early detection can save lives

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Germany. Every year around 26,000 people die in this country. However, many diseases could be prevented if more people regularly go to the check-up. The colonoscopy is particularly important when it comes to colon cancer cases in the family. In addition, the risk of cancer can be reduced by a healthy lifestyle. Experts highlight five simple rules here.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Germany. One study has shown that you can significantly reduce your risk of colon cancer by following five simple rules. (Image: Alex / fotolia.com)

Five important lifestyle factors

According to health experts, colorectal cancer is currently the third most common disease among men in Germany and the second most common in women.

"Among other things, the nutritional and living habits are responsible for this," explains Michael Hoffmeister from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in a statement.

"But everyone can reduce their risk of colorectal cancer by looking for a healthy lifestyle," said the researcher.

This is also shown in a study published in the journal "Gastroenterology", for which Hoffmeister and his colleagues from the DKFZ analyzed the data of more than 4,000 colorectal cancer patients and 3,000 healthy controls.

From the study, five lifestyle factors have emerged that are less likely to be associated with colon cancer:

1. refrain from smoking
2. drink little or no alcohol
3. healthy diet
4. Keep as normal a body weight as possible
5. adequate physical activity

Maintain healthy lifestyle

"The more healthy lifestyle factors the study participants combined, the lower their risk of contracting colon cancer," explains Hoffmeister.

For example, participants who did not smoke, eat healthy and were physically active already had a lower risk of colorectal cancer than participants who did not follow the healthy variant of any of the five lifestyle factors.

However, those who had a consistently healthy lifestyle, ie, all five lifestyle factors heeded, had the lowest risk of colon cancer.

According to the information, the five lifestyle factors proved to be about the same in colorectal cancer prevention.

"It did not matter if it was the no-smoking, the healthy diet, or the physical activity that was heeded. With all variants, study participants reduced their colorectal cancer risk, "adds Prudence Carr, first author of the study.

Regardless of the family history

However, the genetic makeup also has consequences for the risk of developing colon cancer. According to the DKFZ, more than 50 gene variants have been discovered in recent years that slightly increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

"There are people who, because of their genetic profile, have a slightly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than others," explains Carr.

"But our study shows that you can lower your risk of colon cancer by having a healthy lifestyle as well as those who have a lower genetic risk," says the scientist.

The connection between lifestyle and colorectal cancer risk was also independent of the family history of the study participants. It did not matter if they had had colonoscopy in the past or not.

The risk of cardiovascular disease is also reduced

"The recommendation to respect a healthy lifestyle is therefore valid for everyone, regardless of their genetic risk of colon cancer," says Hoffmeister.

"And of course, not only would the colorectal cancer risk be lowered by a healthier lifestyle. At the same time, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and many other diseases, "says the expert.

The DKFZ scientists now want to investigate in further studies, as well as a slightly increased genetic risk by several preventive measures, the risk of bowel cancer can be lowered - for example, by a healthier lifestyle and conducting preventive care. (Ad)