I’m a doctor – people are only just realising there’s a mistake which increases your risk of silent-killer cancer

A DOCTOR has revealed the mistake many people make which can increase your chances of developing cancer.

Rates of colon cancer are currently “sky-rocketing” among young people.

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The rates among people aged under 40 are predicted to double by 2030, according to experts and colorectal cancer as a whole is showing a similar trend.

The American Cancer Society says there are likely to be around 153,000 colorectal cancer cases detected this year alone.

Of those prospective patients, around 19,500 are expected to be under the age of 50.

Dr Katrina Pedersen, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, at Washington University School of Medicine, highlighted one mistake many people make that could help prevent them from developing the silent-killer disease.

She revealed that getting plenty of rest is essential to maintain a good level of health.

Dr Pedersen told the Mirror: “This one is the least spoken about but getting enough sleep each night is so important. For the average adult this is around seven to eight hours per night.

“It keeps your immune system functioning appropriately and especially the cancer killing part of the immune system.”

The expert also highlighted three other key areas that people needed to be aware of in order to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

While colorectal cancer rates are on the increase, the number of cases connected to genetic issues are staying level, making researchers look for other causes.

Dr Pedersen said there was “unequivocal data” that ultra-processed foods – most foods that come in packages – are contributing to bowel cancers.

She advised: “Avoid processed foods, minimising red meats, and eating as many fruits, vegetables and high fibre things as possible. This has shown to decrease the chance of colon cancer.”

Going hand-in-hand with a poor diet, the doctor said, was obesity and both have been seen to have an impact on the rates of colon cancer.

Dr Pedersen said that lifestyle was a contributing factor and in people who were obese at a young age, even if they lost the weight their risk remained “elevated”.

She advised to counteract this, people needed to do physical exercise, getting their heart pumping faster than it normally would for around half an hour.

Dr Pedersen also said that people should “check your poop” every time you go.

While this maybe distinctly unglamorous she warned this can be a key indicator.

People should be on the look-out for any blood in their stools.

She also said that another warning sign was if the stools seem narrow, even pencil thin.

The expert said if there was a tumour found blocking the exit the stool only had a narrow opening to squeeze through.

This was also backed up by Dr Tiago Biachi, who is an Associate Member in the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology at the Moffitt Cancer Centre.

They said: “If you are going to the bathroom all your life once a day and then all of a sudden you start going once or twice a week, then I’m not saying it’s cancer but its something going on.

“So if you have the same diet and habit, this has to be something evaluated. We’re talking about the colon but if you’re losing weight it can be caused by many issues.”

It comes after it was announced bowel cancer test kits will be sent out to anyone with symptoms of the disease under new guidance.

Bowel cancer is the UK’s the UK’s second deadliest cancer, claiming 16,500 lives each year.

But it can be cured if it’s caught early enough.

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