People at Higher Risk of Colorectal Cancer:

People with long-term ulcerative colitis: Those who have had chronic ulcerative colitis but have not treated it thoroughly, leading to an increase in the spread of ulcerations.

Family history: If a parent or sibling has had colorectal cancer, the risk of developing the disease is 2-3 times higher than in the general population, especially if the cancer occurred before the age of 60.

Older age: Colorectal cancer is more commonly found in individuals over 50. However, the disease is becoming more common among younger people, with some diagnosed in their 20s or 30s, although the number of cases is lower at this age.

History of colorectal polyps: Some types of polyps increase the risk of colorectal cancer, particularly large polyps or multiple polyps.

Dietary habits: Foods high in fat, especially animal fats, increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Additionally, preservatives in vegetables, growth enhancers, and lean meat additives in pork, as well as stimulants, can contribute to cancer. If you frequently consume fermented foods, salted foods, or processed foods with preservatives such as salted meats, pickled vegetables, smoked meats, sausages, or soy sauce, you should reduce their intake, as these are common causes of colorectal cancer.

Lack of physical activity: People who do not exercise regularly and sit for long periods may be at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Obesity: Uncontrolled weight gain is one of the factors that increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Smoking: Nearly all individuals with colorectal cancer use tobacco, especially men. Smokers are at higher risk of developing the disease compared to non-smokers. Therefore, smoking can be considered a cause of colorectal cancer, and it also increases the risk of many other types of cancer.

Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking large amounts of alcohol increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

Below are some early signs to help you detect colorectal cancer early and take preventive measures:

• Digestive disorders: Colorectal cancer affects various parts of the digestive system. Common symptoms include bad breath, frequent burping, acid reflux, and pain or discomfort in the stomach before or after eating. Abdominal cramping and bloating can be symptoms of digestive issues caused by infections. However, in some cases, these may indicate the presence of tumors in the stomach or intestines. Loss of appetite, indigestion, and bloating near the navel are often observed in people with colorectal cancer. This condition, if persistent, leads to fatigue and weight loss.

• Unexplained weight loss: If you experience sudden weight loss, it should not be ignored. This could be a sign of cancer, especially colorectal or stomach cancer, or other digestive system-related cancers.

• Bowel movement disturbances: The colon is responsible for excreting waste during digestion, so early stages of colorectal cancer may manifest as irregular bowel movements, such as alternating between constipation and diarrhea. This condition may persist over time.

• Thin or narrow stools: The size of your stool can help detect abnormalities in your digestive system. Thin stool may be caused by an obstruction, such as a tumor, blocking the waste. If the stool is pencil-thin or shaped like a grain of rice due to having to pass through a tumor, you should be cautious.

• Blood in stool: Passing fresh red blood in your stool is a common symptom. In advanced stages, patients may experience prolapse of the rectum, significant weight loss, increased frequency of bowel movements, alternating constipation and diarrhea.

• Fatigue and weakness: This is the most common symptom of colorectal cancer but often overlooked. Fatigue in colorectal cancer patients is usually linked to anemia caused by blood loss in the stool. The patient feels exhausted even after resting and experiences rapid physical weakness without an obvious cause.
  
  
  
  

To prevent colorectal cancer, you should keep the following in mind:

1. Limit consumption of meat and animal fat.

2. Increase fiber intake from whole grains, fruits, and fresh vegetables, along with vitamins E, C, and A, and calcium.

3. Maintain an active lifestyle and exercise regularly.

4. Get regular health check-ups every six months to prevent and detect diseases early.