Navigating The Link Between Obesity And Colorectal Cancer: Insights From GI Surgeons

Obesity is becoming increasingly common and is a prevalent health concern in today's society. It's not just about appearance or feeling a bit shy. The real concern is that being overweight can significantly impact your health, and one major worry is its connection to colorectal cancer.

Numerous studies have discovered that individuals who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop colorectal cancer compared to those who maintain a healthy weight. This indicates that carrying extra weight is a well-established factor that increases the risk of developing this type of cancer.

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a malignancy affecting the colon or rectum. It arises from abnormal growths, or polyps, in the lining of the large intestine. It often develops slowly over years, allowing for early detection and prevention through regular screenings.

Symptoms may include changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal discomfort, and unintended weight loss. While age and family history contribute to risk factors, lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity also play a role.

Colorectal cancer ranks among the most common cancers worldwide. Making awareness, timely screenings, and healthy living are crucial to combating its impact.

How are obesity and colorectal cancer related?

Having too much weight makes the body produce extra insulin and hormones, which might help cancer grow. Also, having too much fat can make the body more prone to inflammation, which also contributes to the growth of cancer.

It could even be caused because, when they get treatment, they might not get enough medicine if it's based on their weight. Other health problems that often happen to overweight people, like diabetes or lung issues, could also make treating cancer harder. And maybe the way tumors grow is more complicated for people who are overweight.

How can you lower the chances of getting colorectal cancer?

One really good way to reduce the risk of getting colorectal cancer is to keep a healthy weight. This means having a body weight that's just right for your height, eating a mix of healthy foods, and doing regular exercise. Try to be active for at least 150 minutes each week, and include exercises that make your muscles strong.

Besides keeping a healthy weight, there are other things you can do to lower the risk of colorectal cancer:

• Don't have too much red or processed meat.
• Stay away from smoking, and don't drink too much alcohol.
• Eat lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
• Make sure to get regular check-ups, especially if others in your family have colorectal cancer.

Can surgery alone cure your colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a serious and possibly life-threatening disease. The chances of getting better can differ from person to person based on things like how far the cancer has spread, how old the person is, and their overall health.

Surgery is a common way to treat colon cancer, but just having surgery might not be enough to make the sickness go away completely; rather, surgery is done along with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The plan for treatment depends on what the person needs and how bad the cancer is when it is diagnosed.

In conclusion, with Dr. Neeraj Goel.

Being overweight is a big factor that makes colorectal cancer more likely. But there's some good news, as mentioned by Dr. Neeraj Goel, one of the best GI surgeons for colorectal cancer treatment in Delhi - he says there are things you can do to lower your risk. Book an appointment with him immediately to get all your questions answered and to avail yourself of state-of-the-art treatment with the latest technologies.