| Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, is | | | | One in ten has tried to cut down on processed |
| becoming an all to common form of cancer both | | | | meats like bacon, and of those over 55 years old, |
| in the United States and throughout the | | | | 37% reported making changes that included |
| world.According to World Health Organization | | | | eliminating processed meats from the diet. |
| (WHO) numbers, this form of cancer accounts for | | | | Almost 18% of survey respondents were |
| 655,000 deaths worldwide each year - the third | | | | actively watching their weight based on concerns |
| most common form of cancer and the second | | | | over cancer. |
| leading cause of cancer-related death in the | | | | Other results of the survey found that two in |
| Western world. | | | | five people were trying to be more active - |
| A report issued by UK based World Center | | | | working toward getting 30 minutes of exercise |
| Research Fund last year suggested a link between | | | | every day. |
| red meat and cancer, and that eating processed | | | | The good news, according to Richard Evans, head |
| meats like bacon or sausage every day ups your | | | | of communications for the World Cancer |
| risk of bowel cancer by 63%. | | | | Research Fund, "This survey shows that if people |
| Processed meat was one of the bad guys of the | | | | are told how they can reduce their risk of cancer |
| report, but others included diet and lifestyle | | | | then many of them will make changes." |
| choices (smoking and alcohol consumption to | | | | Experts continue to believe that a diet high in |
| name a few) that could increase the risk of this | | | | animal fat and protein, and also low in fiber, can up |
| type of cancer. The report also included evidence | | | | the risk of developing cancer of the bowel. |
| that tied extra weight to six different types of | | | | Those who drink heavily (more than 2 alcoholic |
| cancer. | | | | drinks per day for men; one drink a day for |
| Titled Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the | | | | women) are likely also at increased risk of bowel |
| Prevention of Cancer, publicity over the contents | | | | cancer. Almost 9% of those surveyed were |
| generated a firestorm of controversy as some | | | | working to cut down on alcohol based on these |
| blasted the effort as "scare tactics". | | | | types of health messages. |
| Experts defend the work; insisting that while | | | | Of course smoking or chewing tobacco also |
| factors like heredity and environment can't be | | | | increases your bowel cancer risk. |
| changed... some risk factors are within our power | | | | The report recommendations for both physical |
| to control. | | | | activity and weight management that can help |
| And so it seems, many of us may be doing just | | | | reduce your risk (not just to consider the link |
| that. | | | | between red meat and cencer). You need to |
| In a recent online survey of 2,124 respondents, | | | | keep your weight under control. This isn't to say |
| nearly a quarter claimed to have made changes, | | | | underweight, but aim for a Body Mass Index |
| like eating more fruits and veggies, based on the | | | | (BMI) between 18.5 and 25 to be considered in |
| media coverage of the report. | | | | the healthy weight range. |