TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The rate of uncontrolled intestinal cell growth has increased from 31.5 percent to 38 percent in eight years among people between the ages of 31 and 40, according to research recently released by the Lianan Wellness Centre (聯安診所).

The health examination center conducted a colonoscopy test on participants, having also recorded their eating habits for a six-month period, said Cheng Nai-yuan (鄭乃源), head of the centre.

According to the study, 42 percent of participants who showed uncontrolled intestinal cell growth dine out for every meal.

Meanwhile of those who dine out for every meal, only 17 percent did not show cell growth.

Cells reproducing uncontrollably have the possibility of becoming cancerous, Chang said, adding that if the cells become larger than 1 centimeter, doctors usually suggest that the patient should have an excision operation.

Cheng said 80 percent of patients who showed cell growth ate an amount of vegetables and fruits that equals the size of 2.7 fists daily, adding that this is less than the Department of Health's suggestion that a person should eat the equivalent of five fists of vegetables and fruits a day.

Cheng said although genetic inheritance is a factor in uncontrolled cell growth, life style and dietary habits which favor eating dark meat over vegetables and which involve little exercise are possible triggers for cell growth in the large intestine.

Chang said that if the uncontrolled reproduced cells are located on the right-side of the intestinal wall, then the symptoms of intestinal cancer are not obvious, as the wall is thinner than in the rest of the intestine.

In order to prevent uncontrolled intestinal cell growth, Chang said people should eat enough vegetables and fruit (equal to around five fists worth), adding that different vegetable contains different amounts of fiber, thus people should consume a varied range of vegetable and fruit.

Chang said patients who show uncontrolled cell reproduction should take a colonoscopy test every six to 12 months to keep track of the growth of the cells -- The China Post/ANN

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