Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer. There are many factors that cause bowel cancer, such as genetics, age, unhealthy diet, smoking. Studies have shown that taller people have a higher incidence of bowel cancer. Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Uğur Coşkun said, “It has been shown that every 10-centimeter height increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 14 percent and again by 6 percent in the development of intestinal adenoma. “The tallest people in the highest percentile have a 24 percent higher risk of bowel cancer than the shortest individuals in the lowest percentile.”
EVERY 10 INCHES OF LENGTH INCREASE THE RISK OF CANCER
Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Uğur Coşkun noted that the risk of bowel cancer is higher in tall people. Coşkun said, “The month we are in is bowel cancer awareness month. A series of activities are carried out all over the world, especially in our country, for the early diagnosis of bowel cancer. A study with interesting results was published by Elinor Zhou and her friends in the Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention journal on March 2, 2022. In this large meta-analysis, in which 280 thousand patients with bowel cancer and 14 thousand patients with bowel adenomas were analyzed, it was revealed that the risk of developing bowel cancer is higher in people who are taller. The tallest people in the highest percentile have a 24 percent higher risk of bowel cancer than the shortest individuals in the lowest percentile. They think it might be an iris. It is thought that more active proliferation in the organs of those who are taller may cause the development of mutations that lead to malignant transformation.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS VERY IMPORTANT
Noting that bowel cancer is one of the important health problems in our country as well as all over the world, Coşkun said, “After the age of 50, screening with occult blood in the stool, colonoscopy, rectosigmoidoscopy examinations is recommended. Those with first-degree relatives with bowel cancer and individuals with hereditary polyp or non-polyp syndrome should attend these screenings. It is necessary to start earlier. The results of the aforementioned study are not sufficient to develop a special screening program for tall individuals. However, the results of this study need to be examined well and more detailed studies should be done. Limiting red meat consumption, preferring a Mediterranean cuisine style diet, regular exercise and ideal Gaining weight can be counted as important measures we can take to reduce the risk of bowel cancer.