Marker check · 4 questions
Gut & colon health
Colorectal cancer is the second-deadliest cancer, and one of the most preventable: in the 23-year NEJM polypectomy cohort, removing precancerous polyps at colonoscopy cut colorectal-cancer deaths roughly in half. Diet does heavy lifting here — the highest-fiber eaters show 15–16% lower all-cause mortality and colorectal cancer risk (Reynolds 2019), while daily processed meat measurably raises colon-cancer risk. Rates are rising in adults under 50, which is why screening now starts at 45 and persistent gut symptoms deserve a doctor, not a guess.
The research
- Zauber et al., NEJM 2012 — polypectomy, ~53% lower CRC mortality
- Reynolds et al., Lancet 2019 — highest fiber at 25–29g/day: all-cause −15%, CRC −16%
- Bouvard et al. (IARC), Lancet Oncol 2015 — processed meat +18% CRC per 50g/day
- Siegel et al., CA Cancer J Clin 2023 — early-onset CRC rising since the 1990s
1. How much fiber do you eat (whole grains, beans, fruit, vegetables)?
Not answered2. How often do you eat red meat?
Not answered3. Are you up to date on colorectal screening (recommended from 45)?
Not answered4. Any persistent gut symptoms (blood, pain, big bowel-habit changes)?
Not answered