Colon Cancer and Obesity - Research Paper Example

? Introduction Research has confirmed that obesity is directly linked to colon cancer. This has been evidenced by thefact that over 20 percent of all types of cancer are related to having excess body weight. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the developed world. These have also been observed in the developing countries which have experienced change in their lifestyle. This has led to research on what makes cancer of the colon more prevalent in obese individuals. There has been speculations that weight loss diets used can be a cause as well as the formation of carcinogenic or inflammations due to food bypassing the small intestines. This research paper will look into obesity and colon cancer ion relation to obesity contribution to colon cancer. The paper will then address the extent of contribution of colon cancer, prevention measures, statistics and risk factors that are closely related to it (Pendyala, Neff, Suarez-Farinas and Holt, 2011). Pathophysiology Obese people have a high chance of getting colon cancer compared to healthy individual. Research has proved that obese people has a double likely hood of getting the disease. There is a possibility that obesity exacerbates inflammations in the colon which is associated with cancer. Colon cancer starts in form of non-cancerous growth which is referred to as polyp. The individuals who have the overweight have a higher chance of developing polyps. This puts obese people at a risk of getting colon cancer. Adipose tissue dysfunction is directly related to insulin resistance. Obese individuals have insulin resistance condition where serum level increases. This leads to aversion of hyperglycemia. The condition of being insulin resistance plays a vital role in promoting cancer growth. Another factor that may lead to obese people having cancer is reduced plasma amount of adiponectin in obesity. Obese individuals are susceptible to oxidative stress which is associated with chronic inflammation leading to tumor development (Louis, Scott, Duncan & Flint, 2007). In obese individuals, several factors lead to the prevalence of the condition. These are classified into two broad categories the mechanisms s can be universal in nature such that they are related to all types of tumors from their relation to hormonal or other abnormalities that are evident in obesity. The other type is specific. They lead to a specific tumor in a specific position. This type is related to consequential effects of obesity. The diet intake of the obese people can also lead to obesity. The typical food that is available in the developed countries is rich in calories and also there is high consumption of alcohol (Louis, Scott, Duncan & Flint, 2007). Most of the individuals who are obese use weight reducing diets to shed weight. This involves taking diets which are very low in carbohydrates. These diets are very low in carbohydrates but have excess amount of protein which makes it possible to reduce weight faster. These diets involve removal of starch and fiber. Through the use of these diets, the obese individual affects the fermentative activity that occurs in the large intestines. Reduction of the fermentative activity in the large intestines leads to reduction of butyrate and fatty acid in the fecal short chain. The shift in the diet leads to reduction in the bacteria. These are useful bacteria that help in reducing risk of colon cancer in the body. The evidence of the importance of these bacterial puts at risk individuals who are in weight loss diets. The long term effects of using the weight reduction diets are colon cancer. Another factor that can lead obesity to colon cancer is intake of high protein diet during weight loss exercise. As the obese people try to restrict intake of carbohydrates, they consume food that is high in protein and fat. The reason behind taking food high in protein is satiety (Renehan, Tyson, Egger, Heller and Zwahlen, 2008). Insulin resistance is another cause of obesity related cancer. Obese individuals are at a very high risk of lower insulin sensitivity. This is due to excess body weight and adiposity. The condition leads to a condition known as hyper-insulinemia due to stimulation of pancreatic insulin secretion. The increased level of insulin leads to a high risk of occurrence of colon cancer (Louis, Scott, Duncan & Flint, 2007). Extent of contribution to cancer etiology Obesity has been directly associated with the onset of colon cancer through studies. Obese people are least active which makes the condition more prevalent to cancer. Eating food that is high in protein and low in carbohydrate such as meat, can also be a contribution of obesity to colon cancer etiology. Use of the red meat which is high in protein is a major contributor of this condition. The red meat contains haem which through subsequent reactions leads to carcinogenic cells. There are also other products, which are products of protein breakdown which can be directly related to cancer. The breakdown of protein compounds leads to the formation of some carcinogenic related products. Being exposed to stress and food contaminants which are the main endocrine disruptors may lead to the development of cancer. These have effect on the activities that are associated with estrogens and androgens (Renehan, Tyson, Egger, Heller and Zwahlen, 2008). Prevention For obese people, there is the need to reduce the protein being ingested. There is the need to create awareness on how the method used in cooking proteins affects digestibility. Food preparation method employed greatly influences the manner it will be handled in the intestines. This requires having a well prepared food to reduce obesity. The protein contained in food is also a factor that can lead to hazardous cancer components. High protein content food used in weight loss should be reduced by other related foods such as vegetables. There has been proved evidence that vegetables reduce cancer effects compared to meat (Louis, Scott, Duncan & Flint, 2007). There is also need for obese individuals to take more exercises. This can be achieved by having more physical exercises being encouraged by doctors. The advertising of junk food should be minimized especially to children. The unhealthy food that is highly marketed in the media acts as a major cause of obesity. The media also utilises persuasive marketing, which leads to more consumption of unhealthy food. A national food strategy should also be carried out to improve public health and raise obesity awareness (Louis, Scott, Duncan & Flint, 2007). Statistics Obese is classified as having a (body mass index) BMI greater than 25 kg/m2. There has been a positive link between obesity and colon cancer. Colon cancer is rated as the third most rampant cancer. The highest occurrence of this condition is found in North America. It is also important to note that more than 22 million people live with cancer. Studies have confirmed that more than 5% of the cancer incidents in Europe are associated with obesity. It is important to note that excess body weight and abdominal fat are related to cancer. The estimated risk is estimated to be 1.2 to 2.0 (Renehan, et al 2010). Among obese women, the risk of a cancer increases depending on whether on menopause or not. About 20 percent of colon cancer patients are obese where most lies in class 1 obesity. These are people with a BMI higher than 30 kg/m2. The people who are obese get cancer while young as compared to the normal individuals (Renehan, Tyson, Egger, Heller and Zwahlen, 2008). Any other risk factor that is closely related to it Apart from being associated with cancer, obesity can lead to other conditions such as heart diseases. Other cancer types of cancer are also related to obesity. Breast cancer, renal cancer, gallbladder cancer and endometrial cancer are related to obesity and bad eating habits (Louis, Scott, Duncan & Flint, 2007). Conclusion Obesity has been responsible for more than 20 percent of all cancerous. There is a need for people to understand the cause of cancer and its relation to obesity. Consumption of wrong diet such as junk foods leads to favorable conditions for colon cancer. This leads to need for monitor body weight of individuals to prevent cancer risk. There is also need to reduce meat intake with green vegetables. From this research paper, the cancer etiology has been closely linked with obesity. There is the need to take measures that will prevent colon cancer by avoiding obesity. References Louis P, Scott KP, Duncan SH, Flint HJ. (2007). Understanding the effects of diet on bacterial metabolism in the large intestine. Journal of Applied Microbiology.102: 1197-208. Pendyala, S., Neff, L. M. Suarez-Farinas, M. and Holt, P.R. (2011). Diet-induced weight loss reduces colorectal inflammation: implications for colorectal carcinogenesis, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93(2), 234–242. Renehan, A. G.et al (2010). Incident cancer burden attributable to excess body mass index in 30 European countries, International Journal of Cancer, 126(3), 692-702. Renehan, A.G., Tyson, M., Egger, M., Heller, R.F. and Zwahlen, M (2008). Body-mass index and incidence of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies, The Lancet, 371(1), no. 9612, 569–578. Read More