Eating more than 100g of red meat daily might increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 17 percent, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said, adding that it recommends eating more whole grains, fruit and vegetables.
While many people are likely to eat more meat during the holiday season, the HPA advised people to maintain a balanced diet and exercise moderately.
Every 50g of processed meat consumed daily can increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent, and each 100g of red meat (including beef, pork and lamb) consumed daily can increase the risk by 17 percent, the HPA said, citing International Agency for Research on Cancer statistics.
Photo: Wang Yi-hung, Taipei Times
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Taiwan, mostly affecting people aged 50 and older.
The HPA provides a government-funded free fecal occult blood test (FOBT) once every two years for people aged between 50 and 74 to screen for colorectal cancer and reduce mortality.
Studies showed that colorectal cancer mortality can be reduced by about 35 percent by getting an FOBT regularly, as the screening can help detect early stage lesions before symptoms develop, the HPA said.
People with an abnormal FOBT result should arrange to get a colonoscopy as soon as possible, and if polyps are found, they should be removed before they have the chance to become cancerous, HPA Director-General Wu Chao-chun (吳昭軍) said.
People with an abnormal FOBT result, but who fail to get a colonoscopy within six months face a 30 percent increase in the risk of developing colorectal cancer, the HPA said, adding that the risk of late-stage colorectal cancer increases 2.8 times if they do not get a colonoscopy for more than a year.
The HPA said people can easily check if they are eligible for the government-funded FOBT and their last three test results by logging into the National Health Insurance Administration’s mobile app (全民健保行動快易通). The mobile app also allows people to find hospitals or cancer screening events near their home.
FOBT is a non-invasive screening tool and there are no diet restrictions ahead of time, so people can take the test kit from the hospital and collect a fecal sample at home for testing, it said.
Although people enjoy feasting or barbecuing during the holidays, they should reduce their red meat and processed meat consumption, and eat more whole grains, fruit and vegetables instead while exercising regularly, the HPA added.
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