Posted: September 5th, 2015

Family nurse practitioner Advanced Health.

List two lifestyle or behavioral choices that can be modified to reduce a patient’s risk of colon cancer.

How would you suggest the patient implement these changes and why?

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the western world. Strategies to improve survival and reduce mortality from this disease focus on prevention and early detection. CRC is preventable in up to 80-90% of the cases (Boursi & Arber, 2007). Life style modifications are particularly important as they can prevent other diseases as well. The most significant life style habits are regular physical activity, abstinence from smoking and a healthy diet. The second preventive measure is surveillance for early detection and removal of colorectal adenomas in the average risk population (Boursi & Arber, 2007).
Dietary factors have a major etiologic role both as preventive and as causative agents of CRC. Epidemiological studies have shown that a diet that is low in calories, high in fruit and vegetables, low in red meat and animal (saturated) fat, and rich in several micronutrients has a protective effect against CRC (Boursi & Arber, 2007).
People with an active lifestyle, particularly those with a daily or weekly regimen of exercise who maintain a healthy body weight, are less likely to develop CRC. Sedentary people are at increased risk of developing CRC. Leisure activity of 30 to 45 minutes 3 to 4 times a week is recommended, although the higher the level of physical activity can reduce CRC incidence by 50 percent. Physical activity is a protective factor independent from other life style habits that may be related to CRC risk (Boursi & Arber, 2007).
Life style changes include elimination of unhealthy habits. Tobacco appears to be related to both rectal as well as colonic cancer and adenoma. Various population studies estimate that approximately 20% (7,000 to 9,000) of deaths from CRC per year in the United States are directly attributable to smoking (Boursi & Arber, 2007). Prospective and case control studies clearly indicate that a high intake of alcohol increases the risk of adenoma and CRC as well (Boursi & Arber, 2007).
Early detection plays a pivotal role in improving outcomes and preventing CRC. Several diagnostic tools that can be used to assess an individual’s risk include: fecal occult blood sampling, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, double contrast barium enema, and stool genetic testing (Boursi & Arber, 2007).

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