Smoking a major cause of colon cancer: Doctors

LUCKNOW: Puffing cigarettes may help ease your bowel movements on daily basis but this habit may cost you your life. Doctors who assembled at the surgical gastroentrology department of King George's Medical University for a continuing medical education programme on various laproscopic procedures for common colorectal diseases on Friday noted that smoking was one of the leading causes of colorectal cancer.

Global studies have determined that smokers have 23% higher chances of developing colon cancer than non-smokers. Moreover, the national data states that 13% of adults in Uttar Pradesh smoke.

Doctors also noted that a number of people smoke to get rid of stress or daily problems like sleep and bowel issues like constipation without realising that the habit was actually a slow poison.

Speaking after a continuing medical education programme organised by KGMU, HoD, Prof Abhijit Chandra said: "Sedentary lifestyle and an increase in consumption of junk food, animal fat, red meat, alcohol intake and smoking have contributed to the increase in colorectal diseases in India over the past decade. Decreased physical activity which has led to a rise in obesity is also being seen as a risk factor of colorectal cancer."

Prof Chandra conducted a live demonstration of the laparoscopic surgery of several common colorectal diseases in the programme which was attended by more than 60 surgeons from across the state. Gastrosurgeon Prof Sanjiv Patankar from the University Medical Centre of Princeton also performed a live surgery to pass on the skill to the doctors present on the occasion.