The case of Mr. Hoang (Guangdong, China) is a "living witness" that a healthy diet is not enough to protect against colorectal cancer. Mr. Hoàng, 62 years old, often noticed black stool and persistent abdominal pain after eating but did not seek medical attention. It wasn't until he couldn't pass stool for an entire week, his abdomen became bloated and as hard as a rock, and he experienced intense pain that he went to the hospital.

At the local hospital, doctors determined that the symptoms were of a dangerous bowel obstruction. Unfortunately, it was not a simple obstruction caused by food but a complication of terminal-stage colorectal cancer. The tumor had grown and blocked the intestinal lumen, preventing stool and gas from passing. After surviving the critical obstruction, he was transferred to a higher-level hospital for cancer treatment and passed away less than a year later.

Three habits that cause colorectal cancer unrelated to food

Speaking of Mr. Hoang's death, his wife wept, saying, "When my husband received the cancer diagnosis, the whole family was shocked. He had always eaten healthily, avoided alcohol, didn’t eat pickled foods, and usually controlled his salt intake. It wasn’t until the doctors analyzed his lifestyle and pointed out three habits that had lasted over ten years as the cause that we were stunned. They had nothing to do with food."

These three habits are:

1. Sitting for long periods, especially right after meals

The habit of sitting immediately after eating, which seems relaxing, actually harms the digestive system. Lack of movement leads to poor blood circulation, slower bowel motility, and difficulty expelling toxins, which can linger in the colon and cause damage to the mucous membrane, potentially leading to cancerous cells. A study by Harvard University (USA) found that people who sit for more than six hours a day have about a 30% higher risk of colorectal cancer.

2. Ignoring the urge to defecate, leading to chronic constipation

Ignoring the urge to defecate causes stool to remain in the intestines for too long, where water is reabsorbed, making the stool dry and difficult to expel. This forces the intestines to contract more strongly, damaging the mucous membrane, and can lead to chronic constipation. When waste and toxins linger too long, the mucous membrane is exposed to carcinogenic substances, increasing the risk of abnormal cell growth. The American Cancer Society warns that people who regularly ignore the urge to defecate or suffer from chronic constipation are at higher risk for colorectal cancer.

3. Staying up late frequently for extended periods

Mr. Hoàng often stayed up late to watch TV, use his phone, or listen to the radio. Staying up late and sleep deprivation disrupt melatonin levels – a hormone that helps with sleep and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. When melatonin decreases, the body is more prone to chronic inflammation and higher cortisol levels, which damage the intestinal mucosa and cause abnormal cell division. According to scientists, this can promote the formation and development of malignant tumors in the colon and rectum.

Colorectal cancer symptoms to watch for:

• Blood in the stool, either fresh or dark-colored.

• Prolonged changes in bowel habits, such as alternating between constipation and diarrhea with no clear cause.

• Abdominal cramps, bloating, and discomfort after eating.

• Rapid weight loss, loss of appetite despite not dieting or exercising.

• Fatigue and pale skin due to long-term anemia.

• Constant feeling of needing to defecate, incomplete bowel movements, or pain while defecating.