A leading colon cancer doctor has revealed a handful of New Year’s resolutions that you could embrace to lower your risk of contracting the killer disease.
Dr Steven Lee-Kong, who is the chief of colorectal surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, told DailyMail.com that the first thing he would do is change or limit the use of certain cooking oils in 2025.
He explains: ‘Some studies – two of which were published recently – suggest excessive consumption of seed oils, including corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and cottonseed oil that are high in omega-6 fatty acids, may promote inflammation and potentially contribute to colon cancer development.
‘The concern is primarily with oxidized forms of these oils, which are created during high-heat cooking.’
Dr Lee-Kong suggests sticking with olive oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil, as studies suggest these are ‘high in monounsaturated fats and rich in antioxidants, along with anti-inflammatory compounds, that may have a protective effect against colon cancer’.
However, he notes that ‘more research is needed to confirm all of these findings’.
But the expert expert said protecting yourself against colon cancer doesn’t have to be all about restriction.
In fact, his next resolution is to go on vacation more. A holiday has the double benefit of helping you destress while exposing you to more immune-boosting Vitamin D from the sun (if you go somewhere hot, that is!)
A leading colon cancer doctor has revealed ten New Year’s resolutions that you could embrace to lower your risk of contracting the killer disease
Carly Barrett, from Kentucky, was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 24 after detecting blood in her stool and suffering from abdominal pain
‘Some studies suggest a link between Vitamin D deficiency and increased colorectal cancer risk,’ , Dr Lee-Kong said.
Harvard Medical School says that ‘animal studies have found that vitamin D seems to change the way tumors behave, affecting the biology of their cells and making them less aggressive or likely to spread’.
To check your Vitamin D levels are healthy, Dr Lee-Kong advises booking a doctor’s appointment for a blood test.
Your levels can then be supplemented if needed, or a vacation might be just what the doctor ordered, as the sun is our best natural source of vitamin D.
However, Dr Lee-Kong warns to be ‘mindful of sun safety’ as your soak up the rays.
A vacation might also be a good way of you reducing your stress levels.
Chronic stress, Dr Lee-Kong highlights can’ negatively impact the immune system and gut health’.
Researchers from the Sichuan University of China found that when under frequent stress, a number of healthy bacteria that live in the gut start dying off, making it easier for cancer to move in.
When these bacteria die off, tumors grow more quickly, they found, leading to more aggressive, rapidly growing colorectal cancers.
To combat this chain of events a beach break might serve as a quick fix.
Otherwise, Dr Lee-Kong suggests ‘exploring stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature during 2025’.
Exercise is another powerful tool that can reduce stress and in turn, Dr Lee-Kong encourages it to keep your weight in check.
Dr Steven Lee-Kong is the chief of colorectal surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey
He highlights that ‘obesity is linked to an increased risk of developing colorectal, liver, gallbladder, pancreatic, postmenopausal breast, ovarian, thyroid, kidney, uterine, and esophageal cancers.’
In the US, he says it is estimated 5 percent of men’s cancers and 10 percent of women’s cancers are linked to people being overweight and obese.
With this in mind, he says New Year is a good time to ‘commit to losing weight if you are overweight and get active’.
r Lee-Kong says to prioritize getting screened for colon cancer regularly in the New Year.
Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 45, then continue getting screened at regular intervals.
However, you may need to be tested earlier than 45, or more often than other people, if you have a family history of colon cancer or an inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease.
Dr Lee-Kong says a colonoscopy ‘is the gold standard to catching colon cancer in its early stages, which saves lives’.
Next up, the cancer expert suggests limiting your alcohol consumption to one drink, or less, a day.
He highlights how studies in recent years have indicated that even moderate alcohol use has been linked to an increased cancer risk.
The NIH states that moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to a 30 to 50 percent increased risk in breast cancer.
One study, conducted in Korea, also found that there was a 47 percent increased risk of colon cancer among moderate female drinkers, while there was a 26 percent increased risk among men who consumed the same amount.
Sticking to the subject of dietary changes, Dr Lee-Kong says eating less processed foods in the New Year could be a good move.
He says: ‘I would definitely try to cut out processed meat such as bacon, salami, sausages, canned meat or chicken nuggets.
‘Numerous studies have shown these foods can increase the risk of colorectal cancer and other cancers.’
One study published this spring by the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, in collaboration with the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, found that people who ate red and processed meat had a 30 percent and 40 percent increased risk for colorectal cancer, respectively.
In light of the findings, the US government has even proposed urging Americans to cut down on red meat and switch to plant proteins due to these health fears.