Download colorectal - American Institute for Cancer Research

About AICR
OUR VISION: We want to live in a world where no one develops a preventable cancer.
OUR MISSION: We champion the latest and most authoritative scientific research from around the world on cancer prevention and survival through diet, weight and physical activity,
so that we can help people make informed lifestyle choices
to reduce their cancer risk.
We have contributed over $105 million for innovative
research conducted at universities, hospitals and research
centers across the country. Find evidence-based tools and
information for lowering cancer risk, including AICR’s Recommendations for Cancer Prevention, at www.aicr.org.
Reduce Your Risk of
COLORECTAL
CANCER
About the Continuous Update Project
As the U.S. charity in the World Cancer Research Fund
network, we contribute to the
Continuous Update Project (CUP),
an ongoing analysis of global
scientific research into the link between diet, physical activity,
weight and cancer.
The CUP produces periodic reports on the state of the
evidence linking various lifestyle factors to risk of specific
cancers. These reports will inform a major update of our
Recommendations for Cancer Prevention scheduled for 2017.
AICR Guidelines for Cancer Prevention
Questions and Answers
Contact Us
CancerPrevention: Together We Can
is an initiative of the American
Institute for Cancer Research.
Visit www.aicr.org/can-prevent
“WHAT IS COLORECTAL
CANCER?”
“IS COLORECTAL CANCER
INHERITED?”
Colorectal cancer is a tumor caused by
abnormal division of the cells lining the large
intestine—the end of the digestive tract. This
is where waste material is stored and where
you preserve water before you eliminate waste
Most colorectal cancer occurs in people who have
no family history of the disease. According to the
National Cancer Institute, only 10–30 percent of cases
of colorectal cancer occur in people who do have a
family history. Only about 5 percent of all cases are
associated with known inherited gene mutations.
Colorectal cancer takes many years to develop. Often, harmless growths (called “polyps”)
form on the lining of the large intestine before
colorectal cancer is diagnosed. Research suggests that 50 percent of colorectal cancers
could be prevented by adopting healthy habits.
“HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK OF
COLORECTAL CANCER?”
Research shows that food and nutrition, along with
regular physical activity, can play a very important role
in preventing colorectal cancer. According to AICR’s
expert report and its updates, healthy changes in
your diet and lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer:
The choices you make about food, physical activity and weight
management can reduce your chances of developing cancer.
• Choose mostly plant foods, limit red meat and avoid
processed meat.
Photo © Bigstock
• Be physically active every day in any way for 30 minutes or more. Limit sedentary habits, like watching television.
“HOW COMMON IS COLORECTAL CANCER?”
• Aim to be a healthy weight throughout life.
And always remember—do not smoke or chew tobacco.
Make a donation online at www.aicr.org; write to AICR, 1759
R Street, NW, P.O. Box 97167, Washington, DC 20090-7167;
or include a bequest in your will. For more information, contact our Gift Planning Department at 1-800-843-8114.
AICRBlog
©American Institute for Cancer Research
Latest update, April 2015
Stopping Cancer (Colorectal).indd 1
@aicrtweets
Facebook
E54-BHC
Stopping Cancer Series
Cover Photos
© Fotolia, © Getty Images
Follow us on
In the United States, colorectal cancer is the
third most common cancer among adults
and the second leading cause of death from
cancer. Approximately 133,000 new cases are
diagnosed annually in the United States, and
close to 50,000 deaths are attributed to it
each year.
In addition to a healthy diet and daily activity, get
regular screenings by a doctor beginning at age 50.
“DOES EARLY DETECTION MAKE
A DIFFERENCE?”
Yes. For patients whose cancers are found very early
(stage 1), the five-year survival rate is 90 percent.
But only 40 percent of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an early stage due to under-use of screening. Survival rates drop dramatically after cancer has
spread to other parts of the body. Early detection is
very important.
4/21/15 11:33 AM
1. Physical activity—of all types—decreases
colorectal cancer risk. Be physically active
for at least 30 minutes every day. As your
fitness improves, aim for 60 minutes.
•Do some moderate activities such as
swimming, brisk walking or energetic household chores.
•Try to incorporate vigorous activities like aerobics and jogging.
•Shorter bouts of physical activity (10 or
15 minutes) count, too.
• Limit high-calorie foods
including fast food and
sugary drinks.
• Keep an eye on portion
sizes and think before taking
second helpings.
• Be physically active every day.
Photos © Fotolia, © Getty Images
3. Convincing evidence links alcohol with
increased risk of colorectal cancer. To decrease your risk, limit alcoholic drinks to one
drink per day for women and two drinks per
day for men, if you choose to drink at all.
Stopping Cancer (Colorectal).indd 2
•a change in bowel habits, like prolonged diarrhea or constipation
•feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty
completely
•blood in the stool (either bright red or very dark) or rectal bleeding
•stools smaller in width than usual
•general abdominal discomfort (like frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps)
•abnormal weight loss or decreased appetite
•abnormal fatigue and weakness
1) Rate your risk. Anyone can get colorectal
cancer. But higher risk factors include:
•being over 50 years of age
•personal history of other cancer or colon polyps
5. Eating plenty of high-fiber foods decreases
colorectal cancer risk.
•Aim for 25–38 grams of dietary fiber daily,
depending on your age and gender. Some
research suggests that for cancer prevention,
it may be best to aim for at least 30 grams
a day.
Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains
and beans to increase your fiber intake.
•personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
(e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• cigarette smoking
• diet low in fiber
• diet high in red meat and processed meat
•alcohol consumption, especially more than
2 drinks per day
• lack of physical activity
•overweight, particularly excess fat around
the midsection
• having type 2 diabetes
•Eat no more than 18 oz. of beef, pork or
lamb per week.
•In general, avoid processed meats. This includes meat preserved by smoking,
curing, salting or with chemical
preservatives, such as bacon, ham,
salami, sausage and hot dogs. Save
them to eat on special occasions—a
slice of ham on a holiday or a hot dog at a baseball game.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you
should check with your doctor:
Early-stage colorectal cancer often produces no
symptoms. Regular screenings are very
important because successful treatment
depends on early detection.
•family history of colorectal cancer
2. Red meat and processed meat are a
cause of colorectal cancer.
•Keep your portions small (3 oz. per
meal—the size of a deck of cards).
Be Alert To Possible Symptoms
Early Detection Saves Lives
2) Have regular exams by a physician.
Food
Amount
Fiber
(grams)
1 slice
whole-wheat bread
2
1 ounce
high-fiber breakfast cereal
5
1 cup
beans
7
½ cup
chopped vegetables
2–4
1 whole medium
or ½ cup
chopped or
small-sized
(berries)
fruit
2–3
Beginning at age 50, you should have screening
tests performed, even if you have no symptoms of
colorectal cancer. People with one
or more risk factors
should begin screening at
an earlier age and undergo
screening more frequently.
Types of exams include
colonoscopy, DNA stool
test and rectal exam.
For more details about
screenings, visit the
National Cancer Institute at
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colorectal
– AICR/WCRF, Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention
Photo © Fotolia
AICR’s report and its updates found that
eating a healthy diet and being physically
active daily are the most important choices
you can make to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.
4. Too much body fat—including
fat around the midsection—increases your risk. To stop weight
gain or lose weight:
Q: How many colorectal cancers
don’t have to happen?
Photo © Fotolia
What to Know
Diet and Lifestyle…
Important Risk
Factors You Can
Control
A: One-half (50 percent)
of all cases.
– www.aicr.org
4/21/15 11:33 AM