Did you know that the food you put on your plate could be putting you at an increased risk of getting colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer or colon cancer, is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with around 44,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.
It occurs when tumours grow in the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum, but can spread to the rest of the body if left untreated.
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While bowel cancer was once primarily associated with older adults, cases have been steadily rising among younger people over the past few decades.
Dr. Karen Zaghiyan, a board certified colorectal surgeon, believes the rise in cases may be linked to our diets.
In a recent TikTok video, she shared the five foods that increase your colorectal cancer risk.
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"While nobody totally knows why we’re seeing such an alarming rise in younger onset cancers, a lot of people are suggesting - and the research shows - that perhaps it may be related to what we’re eating," she said.
Red meat
To start, regularly consuming red meat could increase your risk of bowel cancer.
"We don’t know of a safe amount, and if you’re charring your meat, i.e., cooking it over a flame, that adds even more risk."
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While there is still much debate about the link between red meat and the disease, an October 2024 study suggests that the iron from the meat reactivates telomerase - an enzyme that adds DNA to the ends of chromosomes, helping to keep cells alive - driving the cancer's progression in the body.
Processed meats
On top of this, Dr Zaghiyan warns people away from processed meats like sausages, ham and bacon.
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"The less you eat, the better — there is no defined safe amount," she says.
A March 2024 study suggests that people who consumed more processed meats had a 30 percent to 40 percent increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Sugary drinks
And you might want to rethink all those cans of soda, as a 2021 study found that people who drank two or more sugar-sweetened drinks a day were more than twice as likely to develop bowel cancer.
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Dr Zaghiyan explains: "These beverages are artificially sugared with high fructose corn syrup and sucrose fructose, and consumption of these has been associated with development of colorectal cancer."
Alcohol
It's bad news if you're partial to a glass on vino in the evening too. Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the US and has been linked to at least seven types of cancer, including colon cancer.
This is because it messes with our hormones, disrupting how cells grow and divide.
While Dr Zaghiyan says the risk is higher in people who drink daily, 'there's no safe amount.'
Ultra-processed foods
And, alongside all the other ways it's awful for your health, ultra-processed foods also contribute to a higher risk of developing cancer.
"The reason for the increased association with various gut conditions and colorectal cancer is due to the existence of emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, and various additional additives like food dyes that come in these foods," Zaghiyan says.
She recognises that cutting these foods out can be difficult, but says: "If all of us can increase the amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grains that we ingest on a day to day basis, and try to minimise these other categories, I think all of us can take a step toward reducing our risk of colorectal cancer."
What are the common symptoms of bowel cancer?
According to Cancer Research UK, common symptoms of the disease include bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in your poo, a change in your normal bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation, pain in your abdomen or back passage, unintended weight loss and fatigue.
While symptoms of bowel cancer can be caused by other, much less serious, conditions, it's important to go see your GP if you're worried about any symptoms you're experiencing.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Bec Oakes