(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Unhealthy behaviors like smoking and excessive
alcohol use could put you at risk for colorectal cancer.
New research shows patients who drink more than seven drinks per week have a
60-percent greater risk of developing colorectal cancer than non-drinkers.
Smoking, diabetes and obesity also showed a link to the disease, increasing
one’s risk by 20-percent. Previous studies have also shown high intakes of red
meat and processed meat increase the risk of the disease by 20 percent.
"Most people probably know that being overweight and having poor dietary habits
are risk factors for the disease, but most are probably unaware that other
lifestyle risk factors such as alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and
diabetes are also important culprits," Rachel Huxley, an associate professor at
The George Institute for International Health in Australia, was quoted as
saying.
Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council recommend individuals
not drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day and should not smoke
cigarettes. Physical activity did lower one’s risk of the disease, but high
intakes of fruit and vegetables did not.
SOURCE: The George Institute for International Health
