Are you at risk for colon cancer/? Cancers of the colon and rectum are the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancers and rank second among cancer deaths in the United States.Evn though colon cancer tends to run in certain families, it appears that 75% of the people who develop it have no family history of the disease. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were some simple measures we could take to help prevent colon cancer? Fortunately , there are a variety of effective colon cancer prevention strategies::
Studies have shown that people who eat a diet high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains may have a lower risk of colon cancer. Other studies have shown that limiting red meat and practicing a vegetarian or vegan diet may prevent colon cancer. Previous studies have supported the role of a high fiber diet in colon cancer prevention, although recent studies have been equivocal.
It appears that calcium and vitamin D work together to help lower your risk of colon cancer. Surprisingly enough, the greatest reduction in risk was seen in people who took calcium and vitamin D supplements rather than those who got high levels from food. People who took a 1,000 mg calcium supplement had their colon cancer risk reduced by about 30%. Researchers found that vitamin D was protective in men, but not in women. It appears that more studies will be necessary to determine the best dose of each supplement to take for colon cancer prevention.
Studies have shown that people who regularly use aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-ijnflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like motrin and Advil have around a 30% lower risk of colon cancer. Even though these drugs may be effective in preventing colon cancer, they’re not without side effects which can include intestinal bleeding and other gastrointestinal problem which may limit their use in colon cancer prevention. For this reason, it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting any of these medications.
4. Get out and exercise!
And still another benefit of exercise! Studies show that persons who exercise on a regular basis may be reducing their risk of colon cancer. The American Cancer Society currently recommends at least 30 minutes of sustained exercise at least 5 days a week.
Studies have shown that obese women are twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer as women who aren’t obese. This seem to hold particularly true for women who have significant abdominal obesity. Large waist measurements and waist-to-hip ratios also appear to be associated with an increased risk of colon cancer in both men and women. Take home message? More exercise and less eating!
6. Get screened for colon cancer.
This is the most important way to prevent colon cancer of all. Cancers arise from the formation of abnormal cells. It can take 10 years or more for those cells to develop into a full blown cancer. By getting colon cancer screening through regular colonoscopy, abnormal growths or polyps that have the potential to lead to cancer can be removed before they become a problem. How often should you be screened? Persons who have no known risk factors for colon cancer should get a colonoscopy starting at age 50. It’s one of the best colon cancer prevention measures you can take!
As you can see, there are a variety of lifestyle changes you can make to prevent colon cancer. Why not get started on a colon cancer prevention program today?
