The Formosa Cancer Foundation yesterday said its survey and data analysis showed an estimated 800,000 office workers in the nation are at risk of developing colorectal polyps, which can progress into colorectal cancer if not treated.
The foundation’s deputy chief executive director and a physician of hematology and oncology, Chang Chia-lun (張家崙) said that according to the Health Promotion Administration’s statistics, 14,965 cases of colorectal cancer were reported in 2012, which is 11 times the number in 1979.
Based on the WHO’s cancer registry data, the prevalence of colorectal cancer in Taiwan has become the highest in the world, Chang said.
He said a survey conducted by the foundation found that 7.23 percent of office workers between 30 and 59 years old have been diagnosed with colorectal polyps.
“Bacteria in the intestines or toxins in stool will constantly irritate the mucous membrane of intestines and when the irritation continues for a long time, it can become cancerous,” Chang said.
“The prevalence of colorectal cancer becomes significantly higher in people older than 50,” he said, adding that many people might be too busy working when they are in their 30s or 40s and neglect treating colorectal polyps, which can progress into cancer in 10 to 15 years.
He said bad diet — such as consuming high-sodium and high-fat foods and too much meat — and eating habits — such as eating too late at night, eating too fast or having meals at irregular times — as well as having too much harmful bacteria in the intestines can trigger the development of colorectal polyps and cancer.
The foundation suggested office workers eat foods high in fiber, eat yogurt regularly, reduce the amount of meat they consume, cook with less oil, eat meals and get examinations regularly and exercise more often to avoid colorectal polyps and cancer.
Chang said that colorectal polyps generally affect people from 30 to 49 years of age, advising people over the age of 35 to look out for colorectal polyps by regularly having fecal occult blood tests.
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