Constipation myth in Korea: Can it really lead to colon cancer?

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. As constipation-related ads flood social media feeds with warnings of “bloated bellies full of toxins” and claims that “ignoring constipation will lead to serious illness,” many people are left wondering — does chronic constipation really increase the risk of colon cancer? Medical experts say the short answer is no — there is currently no scientific evidence proving that constipation causes colon cancer. No proven causal link Some studies have found that colon polyps and colon cancer are discovered more frequently among patients with chronic constipation. However, experts stress that this does not mean constipation itself is the cause. “People used to believe that if constipation is severe, the prolonged exposure of the colon to toxic substances in stools would increase cancer risk,” said Park Ji-won, a professor at Seoul National University Hospital’s colorectal surgery department. “But so far, no research has proven a causal relationship between constipation and colon cancer.” When to seek medical attention While constipat

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