Written by Thu Tran, MD,FACOG
June 22, 2016
Colorectal Cancer incidence increases in Under 50s Age Group
A review of more than one million cases of colorectal cancer by researchers at Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York City revealed a 11.4% increase in the last decade. These cancers found in the under 50s age group often were advanced stage cancers. Colorectal cancer incidence in the 50 or above age group, however, were found to have decreased by 2.5% over the same period. The etiology of increased rates of colorectal cancer in younger patients was not clear. The researchers suggested that healthcare providers should lower their treshold for colonoscopy in the younger than 50s age group with symptoms, as they should have a higher level of suspicion in this age group.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), on the other hand, recommends colonoscopy between 50-75 years of age. Screening for the 76-85 year old age group should be determined based on individual choice taking into account the patient’s health and previous screening history.
Coffee: NOT Carcinogenic. Rather, Coffee Might Decrease Certain Cancers…
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that drinking hot coffee or any other beverages at 149 degrees (F) or more, may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
Using data from 1,000 studies, WHO researchers confirmed the lack of evidence linking coffee drinking to cancers. Indeed, coffee consumption was found to decrease many types of cancer. Liver cancer risk was found to decrease by 15% when drinking one cup a day of coffee. Decreased risk of cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer) among those who consumed coffee daily was also found in five different studies. A possible reduced risk of colorectal cancer was demonstrated among coffee drinkers, while there was no or a modest decreased risk of breast cancer found in an analysis of 40 studies.
Healthy Lifestyle Can Decrease Risk of Breast Cancer
Researchers from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hompkins University in Baltimore found women who are at high risk for breast cancer can modify their risks by living a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Chatterjee and colleagues developed a model to predict the absolute risk of invasive breast cancer. The absolute cumulative 50-year risk of developing breast cancer in 30 year-old American women was found to be 11.3%, ranging from 4.4% to 23.5%.
The researchers found women who were at low risk for breast cancer were non-smokers, did not use acolhol or menopausal hormones, and had a low Body Mass Index (BMI). If all white American women were in this group of healthy living based on the four modifiable risk factors, the researchers believe 28.9% of breast cancer cases could be prevented. They found patients who are high risk for breast cancer because of their genetic disposition, would not be at higher risk than the general population if they indeed changed their lifestyle in terms of the four modifiable risk factors.
Other factors such as education, breast density, physical activity and breast feeding were not considered in this study.
Exercise May Reduce Risk of Ovarian Cancer
Two recent studies showed that frequent physical activity or exercise may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. In one study, Dr. Kirsten Moysich, senior author of both studies and professor of oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. reported a 34% higher risk of ovarian cancer in women who did not exercise during their lives. This effect was found regardless of the women’s weight. The study was published on line in the Journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
In the second study, Dr. Moysich and colleagues found women diagnosed with ovarian cancer who did not exercise the years before their diagnosis had 22%-34% higher chance of dying from the disease compared to those who had been performing regular physical activities in the years prior to their diagnosis. This study was published on line in the British Journal of Cancer.
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