Colon Overview
Habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption have been practiced by both men and women since many centuries. Smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco products are associated with the release of numerous chemicals that have harmful effects in both active and passive smokers. The risk of cancer is highest among all other risks associated with cigarette smoking. In many instances, the risk of developing cancer is directly proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the duration of the habit of smoking. A number of cancers including colon cancer are associated with cigarette smoking.
Alcohol consumption has not gained much popularity as a cancer causing agent when compared to tobacco. Excessive consumption of alcohol has generally been associated with liver disorders and liver failures. The association of alcohol consumption with cancers has also shown that there is a significant risk of cancer with excessive alcohol consumption. Similar to smoking, the amount of alcohol consumption and duration of the habit of drinking is directly related to the amount of risk of development of colon cancers.
How Much is too Much?
Several studies have been conducted and several more are being conducted to know a dose related effect of smoking and drinking on the risk of developing colon cancer.
Colon and Smoking
A study on colon adenoma (one of the types of colon cancer) revealed that individuals who were still smoking had an increased risk of developing colon cancers when compared to those who had quit.
The risk of colon cancer increases as the duration of the habit increases. So if you had started smoking since the 10th grade and your friend started smoking when he was in college, you have an increased chance of developing colon cancer when compared to your friend.
Another interesting factor that was noted was the reaction of the body to beta-carotene (inactive form of vitamin A). Beta-carotene is generally advised as a treatment option in individuals suffering from colon cancer. It was noted in a study that the cancer protective effect of beta-carotene was evident only in individuals who were non-smokers. In case of smokers, the protective effects are reversed wherein high consumption of beta-carotene in turn increased the risk of colon cancer.
Cancers such as adenomas in both the colon and rectum occurred in increased frequencies in individuals who smoked regularly when compared to those who never smoked.
Colon and Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is also related to an increased risk of colon cancer as with smoking. The risk was noted to increase with the number of days in a week one consumed alcohol and also with the total number of drinks consumed per week.
It was observed that individuals who drank for 4 or more than 4 days a week had an increased risk of developing colon cancer. The risk was also high in individuals who consumed more than 4 drinks in a week. Another study reported that individuals who consumed 9 or more than 9 drinks per week over a period of 10 years had 3 times higher risk of developing colon cancer when compared to teetotalers.
Interestingly the risk decreased with the increased duration of alcohol-free periods. This finding suggests that individuals who drink excessively have a chance of reversing the risk of colon cancer if they stopped consumption of alcohol completely and early enough.
Wine consumption on the other hand was related to decreased risk of cancer. But don’t pick the whole bottle! This was evident with only 1 or 2 glasses of wine in a week.
Some Useful Tips to Prevent Colon Cancer
- Stop smoking completely
- Completely avoid alcohol or moderate the alcohol consumption
- Exercise regularly
- Consume a balanced diet with enough raw fruits and vegetables
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