RP cancer cases to rise due to youth lifestyle

MANILA, Philippines - Cases of colorectal cancer are expected to rise in the next few years due to the prevailing lifestyle among the Filipino youth, a health expert warned Monday. Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that may be found in either the colon, the rectum or in the appendix. Dr. Kelly Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Cancer Society, said such cancer is usually caused by unhealthy diet, excessive smoking and drinking, and physical inactivity. “Mainly it’s because of our lifestyle. Our lifestyle has been changing over the years. Because of progress, of our work, we have forgotten our healthy lifestyle," Salvador said during the 8th Asian Clinical Oncology Society (ACOS) Conference held at the SMX Convention in Pasay City. “We just have to go back to the basics and try to go back to our healthy lifestyle and be able to prevent this colorectal cancer," he added. Aside from vices and sedentary lifestyle, hereditary and age are also factors in the development of colorectal cancer, Salvador said. He said this type of cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-deaths, especially in the Western region, with over 600,000 deaths worldwide. Salvador also noted that cancer patients are getting younger. “We are seeing lots of younger people in their late 20s, early 30s… Cancer is getting much younger in population," he said. - GMANews.TV