The Link Between Colorectal Cancer and Drinking Water
Recent studies have shown that there is indeed a correlation between drinking contaminated water and colon cancer. Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. It has the second-highest death rate of all cancers. Most colorectal cancer begins as polyps. These polyps are abnormal growths on the lining of the large intestine, colon, or rectum. Typically, there are no early warning signs for Colon cancers. That is why it is important to get routine checkups that include a colonoscopy. If these polyps are discovered early, they may be removed before they become a health threat. If polyps have already become cancerous, there are several subtle warning signs to look out for. Be aware of changes in bowel movements. These changes may be diarrhea or constipation. Other warning signs include rectal bleeding, bloating, and weight loss. People who regularly consume contaminated drinking water have a greater risk of developing this serious and life-threatening illness.
There are many contaminants present in drinking water. These contaminants can be quite harmful to one’s health if consumed. For example, one of the elements found in most tap water, chlorine is a toxic chemical. Chlorine is a greenish-yellow gas that is extremely corrosive. This gas can be physically altered into a liquid state and added to drinking water to reduce the number of bacteria that naturally exist in tap water. Chlorine is a halogen and can kill bacteria that would otherwise cause infectious diseases. However, when it forms chemical bonds with some organic matter also present in tap water, it becomes dangerous to human health. It becomes a harmful, carcinogenic called trihalomethane. People who drink heavily chlorinated tap water over long periods of time may have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to reduce that risk.
If you drink water that is free of harmful contaminants, you will be less likely to develop polyps that become cancerous in your colon. Drinking pure water can be accomplished by filtering tap water first. The filtering process not only eliminates chlorine from the drinking water, it also eliminates other impurities that exist in most tap or well water.
Colorectal cancer is a very serious and deadly disease that affects both men and women. To reduce your risk, drink purified water that is chlorine and trihalomethane free.
