cofactors may explain why some get

Cofactors May Explain Why Some Get Colon Cancer, Others Don't

Although scientists are not sure what causes colon or rectal cancers,

they know that they are associated with lack of exercise, eating too

much meat, and the human wart virus (HPV). A study from Sendai, Japan

shows that men who spend a lot of time walking are at reduced

susceptibility to developing colon cancer.

An extensive review of the world's literature shows that colorectal

cancer occurs far more frequently in prosperous industrialized

countries, and that dietary factors may cause up to 75 percent of

these cancers. You are increased risk for colon cancer if you are

overweight, and exercise reduces your risk. Rectal cancer is not

affected by obesity or exercise, and may be associated more with

infection, such as with the HPV virus that causes genital warts. Since

the vast majority of people who are infected with HPV do not get

cancer, we have to explain why some do. The leading theory is that of

cofactors: some combination of infectious agents, genetic

susceptibility or lifestyle factors. I think that rectal cancer

requires some kind of infection, but you do not develop the cancer

unless you also smoke, lack vitamin D, eat a lot of meat, or some

other combination of factors. Colon cancer appears to require some

combination of factors such as lack of vitamin D, eating meat, not

exercising or not eating enough foods from plants. Journal references;