‘Every 20th citizen at risk of colon cancer’

Health expert says simple lifestyle should be adopted to prevent disease

LAHORE:

Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Vice President Dr Israrul Haq Toor has said according to the World Health Organization, colon cancer accounts for about 5% of the annual ratio of new cancer cases in Pakistan.

Dr Toor, an associate professor of Medicine at Lahore General Hospital, expressed these views during a lecture on Saturday. 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 compared to women.

He claimed that this disease starts with stomach pain and gradually it progresses to inflammation of the intestines and eventually converts into cancer. He said substandard and adulterated food items, poultry foods, smoking, alcohol and avoiding exercise and obesity are among the major causes of the increase of colon cancer.

Dr Toor said haemorrhage, discolouration of stool, severe abdominal cramps, digestive disorders, sudden weight loss without any reason, loss of appetite, nausea, chronic fatigue and anaemia are the main symptoms of colon cancer.

He said 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 Toor pointed out that if any kind of intestinal infection was diagnosed, the seriousness of the disease can be prevented by treating it in time.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2022.