Although physical activity reduces colon cancer risk, few Americans are aware that exercise can help prevent it.
Only 15 percent of people responding to the Health Information National Trends Survey listed physical activity as one way to reduce the chances of getting colon cancer.
Least aware of exercise’s value in reducing risk were
- People over 50
- Those with less education
- Individuals who thought physical activity recommendations were confusing
- People who said they didn’t look for information about cancer
- Those with less information about colon cancer
- Less physically active individuals
Writing in Patient Education and Counseling, researchers at Fox Chase and Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer centers recommended,
Health care providers should routinely inform their patients that engaging in regular physical activity greatly reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.
SOURCE: Coups et al., Patient Education and Counseling, Volume 72, Number 2, August 2008.
August 19, 2008 at 7:46 am, Franck said:
I’m not sure but I’m 44 and I feel manytimes tired, eventhough I go to the gym three times per week,have gases frequently and I noticed that everytime I clean the toilet it appears with a thin,pink stain around, can that be a simptom of colon cancer?
August 19, 2008 at 10:05 am, Kate Murphy said:
There can be many reasons for unusual fatigue but anemia caused by slow bleeding from colon or rectal polyps or tumors is a possibility.
The pink stain might also indicate bleeding.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer, including unexplained fatigue or rectal bleeding, should always be evaluated. The best test for finding out if the problem is cancer is a colonoscopy.
Do not accept the opinion that you are too young for cancer. Get a colonoscopy.
At the same time, don’t panic. There are many reasons for tiredness and rectal bleeding that are not cancer.
But check it out! Call your doctor and make an appointment for a physical exam, blood tests, and a colonoscopy.