{"id":5436,"date":"2025-11-10T12:01:44","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T12:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prosopikiypothesi.gr\/my-gut-health\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T11:48:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T11:48:33","slug":"my-gut-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/prosopikiypothesi.gr\/en\/my-gut-health\/","title":{"rendered":"My Gut Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"1.0\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\" style=\"--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:16px;--awb-content-font-size:19px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:var(--awb-color2);--awb-border-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-background-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-divider-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-divider-hover-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-icon-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-title-color:hsla(var(--awb-color8-h),var(--awb-color8-s),calc( var(--awb-color8-l) + 20% ),var(--awb-color8-a));--awb-content-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-icon-box-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:var(--awb-color4);--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Roboto Slab&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:300;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:18px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;Roboto&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:300;\"><div class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\" id=\"accordion-5436-1\"><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-f2665ccf4a690ab86 fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:hsla(var(--awb-color8-h),var(--awb-color8-s),calc( var(--awb-color8-l) + 20% ),var(--awb-color8-a));--awb-content-color:var(--awb-color7);\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_f2665ccf4a690ab86\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"f2665ccf4a690ab86\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-5436-1\" data-target=\"#f2665ccf4a690ab86\" href=\"#f2665ccf4a690ab86\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">What is colorectal cancer (CRC)?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"f2665ccf4a690ab86\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_f2665ccf4a690ab86\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">Colorectal cancer begins when cells in the colon or rectum, start to divide uncontrollably and form a tumour. The most common forms start as polyps, small benign growths on the lining of the bowel, which can sometimes develop into malignant tumours.<\/p>\n<p>Symptoms may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation)<\/li>\n<li>Blood in the stool or dark stools<\/li>\n<li>Feeling of incomplete emptying<\/li>\n<li>Weakness, fatigue or anaemia<\/li>\n<li>Unexplained weight loss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Important: In the early stages, there may be <strong>no <\/strong>symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>Risk factors for CRC include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Age over 45<\/li>\n<li>Family history of colorectal cancer<\/li>\n<li>History of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. ulcerative colitis, Crohn\u2019s disease)<\/li>\n<li>A diet high in fat and low in fibre<\/li>\n<li>Smoking, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that can be detected early. Early diagnosis, mainly through screening, has been shown to reduce both the number of new cases and mortality, especially in countries with organised prevention programmes.<\/p>\n<p>In areas with a high incidence of CRC, systematic screening has significantly helped to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reducing the incidence of the disease through early detection and removal of precancerous lesions, such as adenomatous polyps.<\/li>\n<li>Reducing mortality, as cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.<\/li>\n<li>Increase cost-effectiveness, since early diagnosis lowers the need for expensive treatments in advanced stages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-6a95c8f584753e5cf fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:hsla(var(--awb-color8-h),var(--awb-color8-s),calc( var(--awb-color8-l) + 20% ),var(--awb-color8-a));--awb-content-color:var(--awb-color7);\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_6a95c8f584753e5cf\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"6a95c8f584753e5cf\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-5436-1\" data-target=\"#6a95c8f584753e5cf\" href=\"#6a95c8f584753e5cf\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Statistics<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"6a95c8f584753e5cf\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_6a95c8f584753e5cf\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<p>Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide after breast and lung cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths.<\/p>\n<p>Approximately 2 million new cases are diagnosed globally each year, with more than \u00a0900,000 deaths. Colorectal cancer occurs more frequently in men and is increasing in prevalence in Western countries.<\/p>\n<p>According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), within the next 15 years, the number of new cases per year is expected to reach 3.5 million, with deaths approaching 1.5 million (an increase of over 70%).\u00a0 It is particularly concerning that cases of colorectal cancer in young adults (&lt;50 years old) are increasing by about 3% and are often diagnosed at an advanced stage.<\/p>\n<p>Today, there are various methods of preventive screening, such as colonoscopy and faecal immunochemical tests occult blood (e.g. FIT). However, in Greece, only about 25% of people aged 45-50 and older participate in the recommended screening, well below the target of 80%. Moreover, around 76% of deaths from CRC occur among people who have never undergone preventive screening.<\/p>\n<p>This highlights the urgent need for diagnostic tests that are more accessible, simple and acceptable to the public, in order to increase participation and cover a larger proportion of the population.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-debb4aee604bfaf52 fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:hsla(var(--awb-color8-h),var(--awb-color8-s),calc( var(--awb-color8-l) + 20% ),var(--awb-color8-a));--awb-content-color:var(--awb-color7);\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_debb4aee604bfaf52\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"debb4aee604bfaf52\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-5436-1\" data-target=\"#debb4aee604bfaf52\" href=\"#debb4aee604bfaf52\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Reference list<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"debb4aee604bfaf52\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_debb4aee604bfaf52\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<ol>\n<li>Morgan E, Arnold M, Sexton R, Giacometti S, Laversanne M, Bray F. Global burden of colorectal cancer in 2020 and 2040: incidence and mortality estimates from GLOBOCAN. Gut. 2023;72(2):338 44.<\/li>\n<li>Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209 49.<\/li>\n<li>Alzahrani SM, Al Doghaither HA, Al-Ghafari AB. General insight into cancer: An overview of colorectal cancer. Mol Clin Oncol. 2021;15(6):271.<\/li>\n<li>Zhang J, Zhang Y, Liu C, Li J, Chen Y, Wang X, et al. Global burden and cross-country health inequalities of early-onset colorectal cancer and its risk factors from 1990 to 2021 and its projection until 2036. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1):3124.<\/li>\n<li>Tepus M, Yau TO. Non-invasive colorectal cancer screening: an overview. Gastrointest Tumors. 2020;7(3):62 73.<\/li>\n<li>Yarden, Ronit I., et al. &#8220;Young onset colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced disease after multiple misdiagnoses.&#8221; Cancer Research 79.13_Supplement (2019): 3347-3347.<\/li>\n<li>SEER Program. Cancer Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer. National Cancer Institute. Available from: https:\/\/seer.cancer.gov\/statfacts\/html\/colorect.html<\/li>\n<li>SEER Program. Cancer Stat Facts: Female Breast Cancer. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda (MD): SEER Program; [cited\u202f2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https:\/\/seer.cancer.gov\/statfacts\/html\/breast.html<\/li>\n<li>OECD\/European Commission. EU Country Cancer Profile: Greece 2025. OECD Publishing; 2025. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1787\/22087cfa-en<\/li>\n<li>Meester RG, Doubeni CA, Zauber AG, Goede SL, Levin TR, Corley DA, et al. Public health impact of achieving 80% colorectal cancer screening rates in the United States by 2018. Cancer. 2015;121(13):2281 5.<\/li>\n<li>Meester RG, Doubeni CA, Zauber AG, Goede SL, Levin TR, Corley DA, et al. Colorectal cancer deaths attributable to nonuse of screening in the United States. Ann Epidemiol. 2015;25(3):208 13.<\/li>\n<li>Sawicki T, Latos M, S\u0142adek M, G\u0105siorowska A, \u0141awnicka H, S\u0142omka A, et al. A review of colorectal cancer in terms of epidemiology, risk factors, development, symptoms and diagnosis. Cancers (Basel). 2021 May 6;13(9):2025.<\/li>\n<li>Durko L, Malecka-Panas E. Lifestyle modifications and colorectal cancer. Curr Colorectal Cancer Rep. 2014;10(1):45 54.<\/li>\n<li>National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Colorectal Cancer. Version 2.2025. Fort Washington, PA: National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 2025 Jun 24. Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nccn.org\/guidelines\/guidelines-detail?category=1&amp;id=1437\">https:\/\/www.nccn.org\/guidelines\/guidelines-detail?category=1&amp;id=1437<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5436","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Gut Health: Get to Know Your Gut | Prosopiki Ypothesi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Colorectal cancer symptoms may include changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, and fatigue. 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