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Lifestyle
Changes would lead to sharp drop in
Colorectal Cancers
Newswise — Achieving recommended changes in
five lifestyle factors could substantially
reduce the rate of colorectal cancer in the
U.K. population—particularly among men,
reports a study in the May issue of The
European Journal of Cancer Prevention.
The journal is published by Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer
Health, a leading provider of information
and business intelligence for students,
professionals, and institutions in medicine,
nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the
pharmaceutical industry.
Led by Professor. Donald Maxwell Parkin of
Cancer Research UK Centre for Epidemiology,
Mathematics, and Statistics, London, the
researchers sought to estimate how
recommended lifestyle changes could affect
the predicted incidence of colorectal cancer
in the U.K. over the next 24 years.
'Reasonable' Lifestyle
Changes, 'Substantial' Reductions in
Colorectal Cancer
Based on published studies, the researchers
made projections to estimate how
"reasonable" lifestyle changes would affect
future rates of colorectal cancer. The five
lifestyle factors considered, and the
desirable levels recommended in the U.K.,
were:
• Consumption of red and processed meat - no
more than 80 or 90 grams per day.
• Consumption of fruit, vegetables, and
fiber - at least five portions per day.
• Exercise - at least 30 minutes on 5 or
more days per week.
• Alcohol consumption - no more than 21
units per week for men, 15 units for women.
• Overweight and obesity - reduced to rates
of 20 years ago.
The projections showed that, in combination,
the lifestyle modifications would lead to a
"substantial" reduction in colorectal
cancer.
The number of cases of colorectal cancer in
the U.K. population would decrease by 26
percent overall. This would include 31.5
percent fewer cases of colorectal cancer in
men and 18.4 percent fewer cases in women.
Most of the prevented cases would be in
older age groups—colorectal cancer most
commonly occurs at age 50 or older. However,
the proportional reduction in risk would be
larger at younger ages.
Colorectal cancer is a major problem in the
UK, ranking third in terms of new cancers
and second in terms of cancer deaths.
Diet and other lifestyle factors have a
major impact on colorectal cancer risk.
The new projections suggest that healthy
changes in diet, exercise, alcohol use, and
body weight could reduce the rate of
colorectal cancer in the U.K. by about
one-fourth.
This is even greater than the reductions
likely to be achieved by a proposed national
screening program, estimated at 15 percent,
Prof. Parkin and colleagues note.
They conclude, "the preventive interventions
described in this study would save more
deaths from other causes (cancer of the
breast and upper GI tract, cardiovascular
disease, and diabetes) than from colorectal
cancer."
About the European Journal of Cancer
Prevention
With its fast publication of the latest
developments and discoveries in this
important field of medicine, the European
Journal of Cancer Prevention (http://www.eurjcancerprev.com)
aims to promote an increased awareness of
all aspects of cancer prevention and to
stimulate new ideas and innovations.
Although affiliated to the European Cancer
Prevention Organization, the journal
addresses issues of international
importance.
Article Details: The potential for
prevention of colorectal cancer in the UK
Volume 18 Issue3
About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is a
leading international publisher for
healthcare professionals and students with
nearly 300 periodicals and 1,500 books in
more than 100 disciplines publishing under
the LWW brand, as well as content-based
sites and online corporate and customer
services.
LWW is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a
leading provider of information and business
intelligence for students, professionals and
institutions in medicine, nursing, allied
health, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical
industry.
Wolters Kluwer Health is a division of
Wolters Kluwer, a leading global information
services and publishing company.
The company provides products and services
for professionals in the health, tax,
accounting, corporate, financial services,
legal, and regulatory sectors.
Wolters Kluwer had 2008 annual revenues of
€3.4 billion ($4.9 billion), employs
approximately 20,000 people worldwide, and
maintains operations in over 35 countries
across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific,
and Latin America. Wolters Kluwer is
headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Its shares are quoted on Euronext Amsterdam
(WKL) and are included in the AEX and
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www.wolterskluwer.com for
information about our market positions,
customers, brands, and organization.
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