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Smoking increases the risk of colorectal cancer precursors in women much more
Colorectal cancer is one of the three most common cancers in Germany. Every year, around 26,000 people die of it. One way to reduce the risk of illness is to refrain from cigarettes. Austrian researchers have now found that smoking increases the risk of precancerous colorectal cancer in women more than in men.
One of the most common causes of cancer death
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of male prostate and lung cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in Germany after breast cancer. To protect yourself, from a certain age you should take regular check-ups. This is especially important if there have already been colon cancer cases in the family. There are also various ways to reduce your personal cancer risk.
According to a new study, smoking increases the risk of precancer for colorectal cancer in women more than in men. (Image: anoushkatoronto / fotolia.com) Smoke Stop reduces cancer risk
One of them is giving up smoking. Just how important this can be is shown by a study by Austrian researchers.
A recent communication from MedUni Vienna reports that men are more likely to develop colorectal cancer or its precursors than women. A new study from the university shows that the known risk factors do not explain this gender difference.
However, the team around Monika Ferlitsch could now confirm that smoking significantly increases the risk of developing precursors of colorectal cancer. In addition, the scientists prove that this behavior endangers women more than men. "The results also highlight the importance of colonoscopy as a precautionary measure," the statement says.
Men are affected almost twice as often
According to the experts, many diseases could be prevented by a preventive colonoscopy, because with their help, precursors of colorectal cancer, so-called adenomas, can be discovered and immediately removed.
Men are almost twice as likely to be affected by adenomas as women. The current study looked at whether lifestyle influences this difference. "We wanted to know if men could possibly live unhealthier and that is the reason for their increased risk of colon cancer. Gender-specific data in the gut are still rare, but are becoming increasingly important for the development of prevention concepts, "says Ferlitsch.
Gender plays a role
Just over half (50.8%) of the 25,409 patients participating in the study were women. According to the information, in a first step classic risk factors such as body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, smoking, cholesterol, blood sugar or blood pressure were considered and then a colonoscopy was performed.
The results, published in the British Journal of Cancer, show that a person's gender appears to have more influence on whether a person develops colorectal cancer or precursors thereof. The lifestyle seems to be secondary in this context accordingly.
Risk of adenomas increases due to smoking
Only exception: smoking. Tobacco use increases the likelihood of adenomas in both sexes. According to the researchers, the risk of adenomas in males is 46 percent higher than non-smokers; in women, however, by 76 percent, the risk of advanced adenomas in smoking women is 100 percent higher than non-smokers. The reasons are not yet clear.
"Because of the risk factors alone, we can not estimate how likely a person is affected by colorectal cancer or its precursors, colonoscopy remains the drug of choice when it comes to colorectal cancer screening," said Ferlitsch.
Early detection can save lives
The early detection can save lives, because a tumor in the large or small intestines grows slowly and caused in most sufferers for a long time no problems.
Therefore, one should best take care of the provision from the age of 50 years. The statutory health insurance companies cover the costs of an occult blood test as well as the palpation of the rectum once a year. From the age of 55, the health insurances pay a colonoscopy as a precaution. Even with younger people, the costs are taken over in some cases of suspicion. (Ad)