HEALTH provides recommendations on how to change behaviour to lower cancer risk. This can also be done at selected CANSA Care Centres. SUPPORT AFTER A DIAGNOSIS “If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, please contact your local CANSA Care Centre so our staff can offer you support, including medical equipment hire, wigs, counselling, support group and resources,” says Govender. “CANSA provides professional pre- and post-operative counselling and support at our Stoma Clinics, and stoma bags and linen-savers are available at reduced prices at most of our CANSA Care Centres. We also run a CANSA Tele Stoma Support Service giving online consultations for stoma patients and their families.” Call 0800 22 66 22 or email counselling@cansa.org.za or visit cansa.org.za. KNOW YOUR RISK Factors that increase your risk of developing colon cancer: Being over 50. A family history of colorectal cancer, especially a first-degree relative (parent, sibling) who developed it before the age of 60. A personal history of previous colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer. Having inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease), type 2 diabetes, hypertension or metabolic syndrome. Being overweight or obese. Physical inactivity. Exposure to chemicals. Eating a diet low in fruit, vegetables and fibre. Eating a diet high in fat, sugar, red meat and cured or processed meats (sausages, bacon, ham and biltong). These contain nitrates and nitrites that can increase the risk of colorectal 62 cancer. According to the World Health Organization, eating 50g of processed meat daily can raise your risk of colorectal cancer by 18%. About two slices of ham equals 50g. Cooking meats at very high temperatures (frying, broiling or grilling) creates chemicals that increase cancer risk. Consuming alcohol – this has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Using tobacco. “It is a well-known cause of lung cancer, but some of the cancer-causing substances in smoke dissolve into saliva, and if swallowed, can cause digestive system cancers, including colorectal cancer,” says Professor Herbst.
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