Substandard and adulterated food items, poultry foods, smoking, alcohol and avoiding exercise and obesity are among the major causes of increase of colon cancer.
45 years of age should undergo colonoscopy, sigmoid scopy as it is possible to diagnose colon cancer through this test and also test for latent bleeding in stool on priority basis. One out of every 20 people is at risk of colon cancer while all over the world; men are more likely to develop this cancer as compare to women.
These views were expressed by Vice President Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Dr. Israr-ul-Haq Toor said that according to the World Health Organization, colon cancer accounts for about 5% of the annual ratio of new cancer cases in Pakistan, which is a cause for concern. He claimed that this disease starts with stomach pain and gradually it progresses to inflammation of the intestines and eventually convert into cancer.
Dr. Israr-ul-Haq Toor, Associate Professor of Medicine, Lahore General Hospital, while giving a lecture to the medical students, said that hemorrhage, discoloration of stool, severe abdominal cramps, and digestive disorders, sudden weight loss without any reason, loss of appetite, nausea, chronic fatigue and anemia are the main symptoms of colon cancer. He said that a simple lifestyle should be adopted to prevent colon cancer, consumption of red meat should be kept to a minimum and spicy items should be eaten in moderation to get rid of this disease.
Dr. Israr Toor pointed out that if any kind of intestinal infection is diagnosed, the seriousness of the disease can be prevented by treating it in time.
