How do I reduce the risk of gastrointestinal cancers?
Many times, I have faced patients withe family history of cancer who want to know what has coused the cancer and the ways to prevent it. My first and most important fact is that we actually know so less about why cancers happen and of the information we have, we can correct a few. The most important are the lifestyle changes. Several lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of getting gastrointestinal cancer.
Drink alcohol in moderation
A high alcohol intake is associated with an increased risk of cancers of the esophagus – particularly squamous cancer in which alcoholic spirits and smoking seem to have additive effects, pancreas – if high alcohol intake initially leads to chronic inflammation or pancreatitis, which carries an increased risk for pancreatic cancer, liver – if high alcohol intake leads to liver cirrhosis, the damage due to chronic inflammation which is a major risk factor for primary liver cancer.
Avoid smoking
Smoking doubles the risk for cancer of the pancreas and is, particularly when alcoholic spirits are also drunk, associated with increased risk for cancer of the oesophagus.
Eat plenty of green vegetables
A high intake of green vegetables is associated with a reduced risk for bowel cancer and a high vitamin C intake (found in fruits and green vegetables) is associated with reduced risk for stomach cancer.
Avoid preserved or burnt meats
Salted and smoked meats are associated with a high risk of stomach cancer, probably due to their high content of nitrates which in the stomach form highly carcinogenic nitroso-amines.
Burnt meats have been found to be linked with bowel cancer because of their high content of carcinogenic cyclic amines. A high intake of red and processed meats is particularly associated with increased risk of bowel cancer.
Keep to a normal weight
Obesity carries an increased risk of bowel cancer among men. Obesity also increases the risk of diabetes which itself is linked with a modestly increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Take regular exercise
Regular physical activity is linked with a reduced risk for bowel cancer, regardless of body weight.
In addition, screen for cancers that you may at risk in consultation with your doctor. Some of the cancers come in steps, so that early treatment of the risk factors will lead to cure.
Drink alcohol in moderation
A high alcohol intake is associated with an increased risk of cancers of the esophagus – particularly squamous cancer in which alcoholic spirits and smoking seem to have additive effects, pancreas – if high alcohol intake initially leads to chronic inflammation or pancreatitis, which carries an increased risk for pancreatic cancer, liver – if high alcohol intake leads to liver cirrhosis, the damage due to chronic inflammation which is a major risk factor for primary liver cancer.
Avoid smoking
Smoking doubles the risk for cancer of the pancreas and is, particularly when alcoholic spirits are also drunk, associated with increased risk for cancer of the oesophagus.
Eat plenty of green vegetables
A high intake of green vegetables is associated with a reduced risk for bowel cancer and a high vitamin C intake (found in fruits and green vegetables) is associated with reduced risk for stomach cancer.
Avoid preserved or burnt meats
Salted and smoked meats are associated with a high risk of stomach cancer, probably due to their high content of nitrates which in the stomach form highly carcinogenic nitroso-amines.
Burnt meats have been found to be linked with bowel cancer because of their high content of carcinogenic cyclic amines. A high intake of red and processed meats is particularly associated with increased risk of bowel cancer.
Keep to a normal weight
Obesity carries an increased risk of bowel cancer among men. Obesity also increases the risk of diabetes which itself is linked with a modestly increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Take regular exercise
Regular physical activity is linked with a reduced risk for bowel cancer, regardless of body weight.
In addition, screen for cancers that you may at risk in consultation with your doctor. Some of the cancers come in steps, so that early treatment of the risk factors will lead to cure.
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