Cancer is a word that sends fright to most people. Colon cancer is particularly one of the grave health conditions affecting thousands each year. What is then the cause of this illness? Why does it come in other people, yet it’s missing in others? The knowledge of the cause of colon cancer can guide us to do our utmost in preventing such from us and our relatives.
What is Colon Cancer, and Where does it Come from?
The colon is a large coiled tubular structure that helps in digestion of food. However, something occasionally gets out of order, and the cells begin to undergo uncontrolled growth.
These abnormal cells, known as polyps, start as relatively small lumps in the colon. Considering polyps as a form of growth that one would not want to develop inside the colon. Although most polyps are not cancerous, they may become cancerous in later stages if the condition is not treated.
Is Some Person More Likely to Have Colon Cancer?
Of course, specific individuals are at greater risk of developing colon cancer than others. Risk factors include:
- Age: Most colon cancers are diagnosed in patients older than 50
- Family history of colon cancer
- Inherited genetic conditions
- Chronic inflammatory intestinal conditions
- Racial and ethnic background
- Personal history of previous cancer
Note that such risk factors do not mean one will develop colon cancer. It’s just that one should be much more careful and be getting the necessary check-ups.
In what way will genetics relate to the causation of colon cancer?
The human gene is like a blueprint for the human body. Sometimes, this blueprint has mistakes that make us more susceptible to cancer. Other times, some people inherit gene mutations that make them prone to colon cancer.
There are other hereditary disorders predisposing towards colon cancer, like Lynch syndrome or in some cases, familial adenomatous polyposis. It is implied in such cases that the natural machinery the body develops against uncontrolled cell proliferation does not work at full efficiency.
What Lifestyle Factors Raise Colon Cancer Risk?
Our daily choices determine our health. Some lifestyle factors that increase the risk of colon cancer include the following:
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- A diet high in processed meats
- Low-fiber diet
- Chronic stress
- Poor sleep
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Consumption of too much red meat
These are not causes of cancer. They merely create an environment in your body that fosters cancer
development.
How Is Diet an Important Factor Affecting Colon Cancer Risk?
It serves not only as a fuel source in the body but even transmits messages, instructing the cells in our bodies regarding how to act. Processes food and red meat with significant inflammation inside a person’s body. Little consumption of fruits and vegetables ends.
Chronic inflammation is the sort of constant low-grade fire within your body. After a while, it eventually harms the cells and, after an incredibly long period, leads to cancer. Or, a diet of more fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, and much more protein will make your body protected and will not risk its chances of acquiring cancer.
Do Chronic Health Conditions Increase Cancer Risk?
Some chronic health disorders provide a niche for the induction of the development of cancer. The disorders include for example, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease, including chronic intestinal inflammation, thus predisposing to colon carcinoma.
Such disorders in the digestive tract cause chronic stress and tissue damage—almost like scratching an open sore. Eventually, the continuing irritation may cause further complications to develop.
What is the Role of Age in Colon Cancer?
One of the significant risk factors for colon cancer is age. People might develop colon cancer at a younger age, but the risk gets relatively high after the age of 50. This is why doctors advise screening regularly for those in that age group.
Cell division increases with advancing years, and this increased cell division has a high rate of mutations. In the case of a photocopy machine, the more copies one makes, the more small mistakes appear.
Is There An Environmental Component to It?
Environmental factors could be a contributory cause of colon cancer. Chemicals with which people may be exposed, irradiation, and pollution raise the risk for colon cancer.
According to some studies, individuals dwelling in highly industrialized areas also having high levels of pollution have a higher likelihood of acquiring cancerous tumors of different kinds, including colon cancer.
Do Stress and Mental Health Conditions Increase the Chances of Cancer?
While not as directly linked with stress as many other types of cancers, chronic stress may keep your immune system depressed. A depressed immune system isn’t as effective in identifying and destroying cells gone bad.
Stress frequently contributes to poor lifestyles, bad eating habits, minimal exercise, and an alteration in sleep patterns; all contribute indirectly toward raising one’s chance of cancer.
How To Reduce Cancer Risk?
Some of the key steps that reduce the risk of colon cancer are as follows:
- Regular medical check-ups
- Colonoscopy screenings should begin at the recommended age
- Maintaining healthy weight
- Regular exercise
- Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
- Limit alcohol intake
- Avoid tobacco
- Managing stress
- Getting adequate sleep
- Staying hydrated
A Scientific Theory about Ayurveda and Yoga Can Prevent Colon Cancer
One of the biggest challenges facing the world today, colon cancer targets millions every year across the globe. Recent scientific explorations have highlighted remarkable links between ancient healing methods such as Ayurveda and Yoga and anticancer therapy.
Biological Mechanisms Involved
The latest scientific studies have determined that Ayurveda and Yoga could have effects on cellular processes, possibly leading to the prevention of the development of colon cancer. Both practice at several levels of human physiology to address inflammation, cellular health, and immunity.
Humans’ body conditions are constantly exposed to toxic environmental materials, lousy diets, and chronic stress. These may cause inflammation and genetic mutations that, in due course, would lead to cancer development. Ayurveda and Yoga provide holistic approaches that focus on these underlying biological challenges.
Inflammation: The Silent Cancer Trigger
Chronic inflammation is now recognized to precede the onset of cancer. Yoga’s profound impact on reducing systemic inflammation has drawn the attention of medical researchers. Specific yogic breathing techniques and meditation practices have been documented to decrease inflammatory markers in the human body.
Ayurvedic herbs like turmeric contain anti-inflammatory compounds that might be able to interfere with the inflammatory cascade, which is part of how cancer initiation happens. Specifically, curcumin- the active constituent in the herb turmeric- has shown impressive capabilities in modulating inflammatory pathways in scientific investigations.
Immune System Modulation
The human immune system identifies and eliminates cells that could turn into cancerous cells. Both Yoga and Ayurveda seek to strengthen immune functioning through appropriate practices and herbal drugs.
Some yogic practices have been known to raise natural killer cell activity in science, a specific category of immune cells that kill off abnormal cell growths. This presents a cellular basis for anticancer action.
Stress Reduction and Cellular Health
The stress-related effects have also become a significant risk factor in cancer development. Yoga and meditation, by directly acting on the body’s stress response system, may create a more favorable internal environment against cancer progression.
Ayurvedic approaches consider the interconnectedness of mental and physical health. Such practices may reduce stress, maintain balanced physiological functioning, and create conditions less supportive of cancer development.
Dietary and Lifestyle Interventions
Ayurveda possesses rich instructions for dietary lifestyle, and the primary features of a dietary practice emphasize complete foods with appropriate digestion, leading to adequate nutrition. Indeed, those recommendations align well with what currently would be referred to in science as nutrion-cancer-preventive-research-end.
Specific dietary recommendations, herbal interventions, and yogic practices can form a multidimensional approach toward the possible prevention of cancer. This is not a guarantee, but promising avenues exist to reduce cancer risk.
A Holistic Perspective on Prevention
Scientific research now realizes that cancer prevention is not just about single interventions but lifestyle approaches. Ayurveda and Yoga have grown complex in human health dimensions from multiple standpoints.
Although much more investigation is needed to fully understand all these intricate interactions, early scientific evidence suggests that these antiquated practices are valuable guides in maintaining cellular wellness and thereby preventing colon cancer.
The journey of understanding continues, bridging traditional wisdom with modern scientific investigation, offering hope and potential strategies for cancer prevention.
A Message of Hope
Understanding colon cancer does not mean living in constant fear. Knowledge of disease’s possible factors and causative agents helps develop decisions that favor your health.
Many persons with risk factors will never get cancer, and many cancers are easily treatable if detected on time. Your best tools are regular screenings, a healthy lifestyle, and open communication with healthcare providers.
Every health journey is unique. Pay attention to your body, keep up with the latest information, and seek guidance from medical professionals who can guide you.
REFERENCES:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14501-colorectal-colon-cancer
https://www.pfizer.com/disease-and-conditions/colon-cancer
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/what-is-colorectal-cancer.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150496
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470380/
https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2024/feb/4-colon-cancer-symptoms-to-never-ignore/
https://medlineplus.gov/colorectalcancer.html
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/colorectal-cancer-rising-younger-adults