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First ECCAM week: prevention of colorectal cancer

10.03.2015

Noncommercial organization “Equal Right to Life” and Interregional Public Movement “Movement Against Cancer” takes part in colorectal cancer information project. The campaign was developed by pan European organization “Europacolon”. Since 2008 March is a European Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (ECCAM).

Subjects of the project’s four weeks: primary prevention, secondary prevention, survival and life with colorectal cancer.
Not everybody know that colorectal cancer is the third most widespread disease among men (746,000 cases, 10.0% from total number) and the second most widespread among women (614,000 cases, 9.2% from total number) throughout the world. Every minute about three people in the world are diagnosed with colon cancer. In average, the risk of colorectal cancer risk diagnosis is 1 to 20, however, this indicator greatly varies depending on individual risk factors. In 90% of cases this disease develops among people who are 50 and more years old but every year the number of young people who are diagnosed with this disease grows.
Studies show that obesity is directly connected with the risk of colorectal cancer. Today a half of EU citizens are overweight. In many European countries the percentage of obese people has grown twice for the last 20 years. Every year a number of overweight people in Europe grows by one million. Healthy eating and physical exercise can improve this disturbing statistics. Forget about sedentary lifestyle and fast food!
Healthy eating does not imply severe dietary restrictions. There is no need to be too slim or deprive yourself of your favourite food. Try to reduce amounts of red meat and meaty products you eat during a week and gradually change your customary lifestyle. The basis of healthy diet is fruits and vegetables. They are low in calories, rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre.  
Do not forget about physical exercise. A study showed that even a light or moderate exercise is enough to change your life for the better.
Not only overweight people are in the risk zone. Some bad habits are directly connected with a possibility of colorectal cancer and other diseases risk development. The risk of development of this disease is significantly higher among smokers comparing to non-smokers. In addition, binge drinking increases such risk.
It’s important to remember that there are ways to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. For this, it is enough to follow simple rules: www.europacolon.com/Documents/Uploaded/28-Document-EuropaColon-prevention.pdf