Attention parents: If your child drinks sugary drinks every day, colon cancer risk may increase by 32 percent

According to research, consuming two or more sugary drinks a day at a young age more than doubles the risk of developing colon cancer before the age of 50. Each daily consumption between the ages of 13-18 can increase the risk of early colon cancer by 32 percent.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of colon cancer worldwide. In Turkey, it ranks second according to local studies and third according to the statistics of the Ministry of Health. According to an observational study published in BMJ Journals and involving more than 95 thousand people, those born in 1950 and those born in 1990 have 2 times the risk of colon cancer and 4 times the risk of rectal cancer. Speaking about the research, Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Kamil Özdil from Biruni University Hospital stated that the treatment options for colon cancer are more than other types of cancer and emphasized the importance of screening tests to detect it at an early stage. Prof. Dr. Özdil explained one by one what is needed to prevent this type of cancer.

“Stay away from fiber-free products”

Underlining that nutrition and diet should be emphasized the most, Prof. Dr. Özdil said, “Lifestyle is also very important. Working at a desk triggers this. Therefore, regular exercise is important. Packaged and processed foods and sugary drinks also have a great effect. In terms of colon cancer and all other cancers, you should pay attention to what you eat. You should stay away from excessive sugar consumption and not consume fast food style fiber-free products. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Education are already working on this issue and conducting inspections on food and beverages in school canteens.”

“Those who consume once a week or less are less likely to get sick”

“In this study; It has been shown that consumption of sugary drinks twice a day in children aged 13-18 years causes serious colon cancer. It was found that those who consumed once a week or less were less likely to be caught.” Prof. Dr. Özdil warned as follows:

“Families should not allow their children to eat unhealthy diets just because they want to or are influenced by advertisements. Keep your children away from packaged, carbonated and sugary drinks. You should stay away too. Packaged fruit juices are also high in sugar. Instead of these, our own local drinks such as ayran, turnip juice, compote should be preferred. The research also shows that the rate of cancer is reduced in those who drink coffee and milk. However, of course, every product should be consumed in balance. Excess of everything is harmful.”

There may be no symptoms at all: Up to 50 percent can be detected without any complaints

Listing the symptoms of colon cancer, Prof. Dr. Kamil Özdil said, “It may not give any symptoms at all. But if it has become symptomatic, anemia in the body, defecation irregularity, blood coming from the rectum may be a symptom. There may also be hidden blood that we do not see. If it becomes intestinal obstruction, there may be bloating, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. If it is at an earlier stage, we focus on anemia. This is why routine screenings are important. If we detect anemia in the patient during these screenings and the stool blood test is positive, we recommend colonoscopic examination. Colon cancer can be detected in nearly 50 percent of patients without any complaints. This is an important situation. Family history, anemia, unexpected iron deficiency, blood in the stool, irregular stools are alarming for us.”

“Colonoscopic screening is recommended from the age of 45”

Prof. Dr. Kamil Özdil finally added the following:

“There is such an advantage; screening programs are being carried out all over the world. Previously it was 50, now colonoscopic screening is recommended from the age of 45. Thus, cancer can be prevented. Colon cancer has more treatment options than other types of cancer. If detected at an early stage, it can be treated without surgery. So do not be afraid, have your regular screening tests.”