Thursday, March 05, 2015
Perth District Health Unit
Lifestyle Changes Can Reduce Risk for Colorectal Cancer
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The Perth District Health Unit is challenging Perth County residents to make the first move and reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer. In Ontario, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men and third most common cause of cancer deaths in women.
A new report from Cancer Care Ontario shows that a substantial number of colorectal cancers in the province result from lack of exercise, poor diet and being overweight or obese. “By being active, eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight and participating in screening tests, you can reduce your risk and make the first move against the disease,” says Karen Bergin-Payette, Public Health Nurse. “Over time, these small changes can have a dramatic impact.”
The report shows that in 2013:
- only 53 per cent of Ontario adults aged 18 and older said they were at least moderately active during their leisure time.
- only 35 per cent of adults reported they consumed five or more servings of vegetables and fruit a day (the recommended amount)
- 37 per cent of Ontarians were overweight and ¼ were obese.
- 25 per cent of male and 14 per cent of female Canadian adults ate more red and processed meat than the cancer prevention recommendation of less than 500 grams per week.
The following recommendations can help reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer:
Exercise regularly – Aim for 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. For example, walk briskly for 30 minutes five times a week. If possible, decrease sedentary activities such as watching TV or surfing the internet.
Eat healthy - Adopt a healthy diet by incorporating at least five servings of assorted non-starchy vegetables and fruit into your diet each day. Limit your consumption of red and processed meat and avoid excess salt whenever possible.
Maintain a healthy weight - Excess body weight increases your risk of developing colorectal cancer. To avoid significant weight gain, avoid consuming high calorie foods and sugary drinks and limit the amount of fast food in your diet.
Get screened – Men and women aged 50 to 74 with no symptoms and without a family history of colorectal cancer should get screened every two years using the fecal occult blood test (FOBT). People who have a first-degree relative (i.e., parent, sibling or child) with a history of colorectal cancer are at increased risk for the disease and a colonoscopy is recommended beginning at age 50, or 10 years earlier than the age at which their relative was diagnosed, whichever occurs first.
To learn more:
Media Contact:
Rebecca Hill
Communications Manager
519-271-7600 ext 279
rhill@pdhu.on.ca
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