BENGALURU: The choices we make in our daily lives profoundly impact our health and well-being. From diet and exercise to habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption, lifestyle factors play a pivotal role in determining our susceptibility to various health conditions, including gastrointestinal cancers. Gastrointestinal cancers are on the rise with cancers affecting the digestive system from the esophagus to the rectum. Understanding how these habits contribute to the development of gastrointestinal cancers is crucial for prevention and early detection.
1. Dietary Choices: A diet high in processed meats, red meats, and saturated fats has been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Conversely, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides essential nutrients and fibre that may help lower the risk.
2. Obesity and Physical Inactivity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of several gastrointestinal cancers, including oesophagal, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. Physical inactivity further exacerbates these risks. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces cancer risk.
3. Smoking and Alcohol Consumption: Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco, is a major risk factor for cancers of the digestive system especially oesophagal and stomach cancers. Excessive alcohol consumption is also linked to an increased risk of liver and oesophagal cancers.
4. Chronic Inflammation: Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer over time. Managing these conditions effectively through medical treatment, lifestyle modifications and active surveillance is crucial.
Lifestyle habits significantly influence the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers. By adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, and managing chronic conditions, individuals can take proactive steps to lower their cancer risk. Community-wide efforts to promote awareness and encourage healthy behaviours are essential in the fight against gastrointestinal cancers, aiming for a healthier and cancer-free future.
(The writer is consultant GI, Robotic Surgeon, HCG Cancer Centre)
Preventive Strategies
Healthy Eating: Adopt a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting processed foods, red meats, and sugary drinks.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Aim for a body mass index (BMI) within the healthy range through a combination of healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Regular Physical Activity: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, jogging, or swimming.
Avoid Tobacco and Limit Alcohol: Quit smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke. Limit alcohol consumption to minimal levels.
Screening and Early Detection: Follow recommended screening guidelines for gastrointestinal cancers, such as colonoscopies for colorectal cancer starting at age 45 or earlier if there is a family history.
Symptom evaluation: If any symptoms like acidity, food sticking in the gullet, constipation or blood in stools are noted, get it immediately checked by your doctor and don’t ignore these common symptoms which can be early signs of cancer.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers typically involves a combination of imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI scans, and endoscopic procedures like colonoscopy or upper endoscopy to visualise the affected areas and obtain tissue samples for biopsy. Early detection is critical as it allows for more effective treatment options, which may include surgery to remove tumours, chemotherapy to target cancer cells throughout the body, radiation therapy to shrink tumours and relieve symptoms, and targeted therapies that attack specific genetic mutations driving cancer growth.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the help of a medical professional regarding any health condition.