There is a dangerous habit that increases the likelihood of colon cancer by 8% in men and 19% in women, so what is it?

What are the symptoms of this type of cancer?

What is the best way to reduce the risk of contracting it?

Answers and others are in this report.

Colon and rectal cancer arises in the large intestine, also known as the colon or rectum, and usually affects middle-aged people, according to the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan.

What is the habit that increases the risk of colon cancer, especially in women?

The answer is smoking, as the Anti-Smoking Center at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar warned that smoking is one of the main causes of colorectal cancer, which is the third most common cancer in the world, as part of the revival of the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March. each year.

In this context, the Director of the Anti-Smoking Center at HMC, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mulla, said - in a statement reached Al Jazeera Net - that while some factors may also cause colon cancer, including inherited genetic mutations, and an unhealthy lifestyle such as a high-fat diet or Low in fiber and inactive without any physical activity;

Smoking also negatively affects disease progression and response to treatment.

Al-Mulla stated that the accumulated epidemiological studies indicate that smokers are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, and that smoking also increases in the event of the disease, and promotes the migration of cancer cells.

Therefore, the risk of death from infection increases.

Al-Mulla added, "Studies indicate that death rates from colon and rectal cancer are significantly higher in smokers compared to other non-smokers, and those studies have also shown that the amount and number of years of smoking has a role in increasing the relationship between smoking and colon cancer, as the incidence of this cancer has decreased among those who are not." They were quick to stop smoking before the passage of at least 10 years, noting that some studies have found that women who smoke are more likely to have colon cancer than men.

It is worth noting that among these studies is a study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and included data on more than 600 thousand men and women, between the ages of 19 and 67 years, and nearly 4 thousand of them developed colon cancer, and

revealed the following:

  • The risk of infection was greater for smokers, especially women.

    Where the risk of colon cancer increased by 19% among women who smoke.

  • The risk of colon cancer increased by 8% among men who smoke.

So the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization considers colon cancer to be related to smoking.

For his part, Dr. Jamal Bashi - a smoking cessation specialist at the Smoking Control Center at HMC - said that the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommended that smokers undergo early detection of colon cancer at the age of 40 instead of 50, especially for those with a family history of colon cancer. .

What other factors increase the chances of colon cancer?

  • A diet rich in red and processed meats, according to the King Hussein Cancer Center.

  • The presence of polyps, which are growths that grow on the inner wall of the large intestine, usually in people over the age of 50 years.

    Over time, if these polyps are not removed, they may become cancerous and spread to other areas of the body.

  • A family history of colorectal cancer.

  • Having a personal history of cancer.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

It may not show any symptoms, especially in the initial stages;

Therefore, the tests are effective in finding polyps and early detection of colorectal cancer.

If you are over the age of 50, therefore, the King Hussein Cancer Center recommends that you have regular check-ups to screen for colon cancer in the Early Detection Clinic.

Common symptoms of colon cancer:

  • Constipation or diarrhea.

  • The feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.

  • The presence of blood in the stool.

  • Stool is less dense than usual.

  • Frequent pain caused by gas, bloating, or a feeling of fullness.

  • Weight loss for no reason.

  • Constant fatigue.

  • Vomiting and nausea.

    • 7 reasons for having a colonoscopy

    For her part, Dr. Carol Burke, a consultant gastroenterologist and expert in colon cancer, of the Cleveland Clinic, says that colonoscopy is the best way to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

    And Carol Burke confirms - in statements to the German news agency - that everyone is vulnerable to colon and rectal polyps, which may later lead to colon cancer.

    Dr. Burke offers 7 reasons for scheduling a colonoscopy:

  • Anyone can develop colon cancer.

  • Colonoscopy protects against colon cancer, unlike many other types of cancer, colon cancer can be prevented, as it generally develops from small lumps called polyps (polyps) of the colon, and they grow from the lining of the colon or rectum, and some of these can become Polyps are cancerous over time.

    Colonoscopy helps to detect and remove these polyps early, which reduces the risk of colon cancer.

  • Colon polyps and colon cancer in its early stages may not cause any symptoms.

    Therefore, doctors advise performing colonoscopy when at risk of infection and not waiting for symptoms to appear.

    As the colonoscopy allows early detection, and through which colon polyps can be removed before they develop into cancer.


    If there are symptoms such as blood in the stool, a sudden change in bowel habits, unexplained abdominal pain, or weight loss, a colonoscopy should be done after consulting a specialist.

  • Colonoscopy is not a painful procedure, and is usually performed during what is called "twilight sleep" or conscious sedation, and because of it 99% of people do not feel discomfort during the examination.

  • Colonoscopy is accurate. Doctors call colonoscopy the "gold standard" for good reason.

    With it, they can detect more than 95% of colon and rectal cancers and large colon polyps, which have the potential to turn into cancer.

  • Colonoscopy is safe, and despite rumors to the contrary, colonoscopy is extremely safe when performed by experienced professionals.

    The risk of bleeding and a perforation of the colon is very low.

    Less than one in a thousand will have a bleeding or perforation of the intestine, while one in 22 people will develop colon cancer in their lifetime.

  • Medical recommendations, as the American Cancer Society recommends that people start colon cancer screening at the age of 45, especially if they have a family history of it.

    • Dr. Burke concluded by saying, "We urge everyone to do a colonoscopy to protect themselves and reduce their risk of colon and rectal cancer."