Did you know?
Colon cancer ranks as the third most common cancer in America. It starts off slow, brewing as non-cancerous polyps in your colon before eventually turning into cancer.
What ups your risk?
Age plays a big role—most cases hit folks over 45. Also, what you eat matters. Too much meat and processed food, and too little fiber and veggies, can increase your odds. So does living a mostly sedentary life, knocking back a few drinks, having a family history of it, or grappling with digestive issues. Even has a higher weightor having type 2 diabetes can up the stakes. And if you’re a smoker, well, that’s another tick in the risk column.
Let’s talk smoking
We all know smoking’s bad news for your lungs and heart, but did you know it messes with your colon too?
How it works
Cigarette smoke is loaded with nasty stuff that messes with your body’s DNA, making weird cells grow in your colon. That’s why smokers tend to develop more and bigger polyps.
The big risk
Whether you’re a light smoker or a pack-a-day person, smoking cranks up your chances of getting colon cancer. Heavy smokers can see their risk shoot up by a whopping 61%.
The fallout
But it’s not just about getting the cancer. If you’re a smoker, your odds of beating it if you do get diagnosed aren’t as good. Smokers are more likely to see the cancer come back after treatment, especially within the first three years. And if you’re still puffing away, the risk of it coming back or being fatal jumps up by almost half.
Bottom line
Smoking and colon cancer? They’re a risky mix. But it’s not just about quitting smoking—it’s about making healthy choices all around to give yourself the best shot at staying cancer-free.
Course for a new life without cigarettes.