Colon Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US and 90% of new cases occur in individuals 50 and older. 1 out of 20 people is at risk for Colon Cancer but those who have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) who has the disease is at risk triple times than those who have none.
Fortunately, this type of cancer is one of the most preventable ones if detected early. As of this writing, there are more than 1 million Colon Cancer Survivors in the US.
With that said, Colon Cancer is a serious disease that everyone should be aware of. There are a number of ways to decrease your risk for acquiring Colon Cancer which we will discuss one by one in this article.
1. Get screened.
Obviously, getting screened for Colon Cancer is the best way to prevent this disease, especially for those ages 50 and above, and those with a family history.
2. Watch out for belly fat.
Excess body fat especially in the abdominal area is linked to the increased risk of Colon and Colorectal Cancer. So make sure to watch what you eat like portion control and limit sweets.
3. Increase physical activity.
Being active regularly doesn’t just help with weight control but also lowers the risk of many serious diseases including Colon Cancer. It doesn’t have to be gym workout – any amount of physical activity is better than none. You can walk around for at least 30 minutes every day, do gardening, house cleaning or go ballroom dancing with your spouse in your living room… just any type of physical activity to keep you active.
4. Increase Fiber intake.
According to studies, for every 10 grams of fiber consumed daily, your risk for Colorectal Cancer is reduced by 10%. So load up on vegetables, fruits and whole grains or take Fiber Supplements.
5. Cut the red meat and processed meat.
It’s hard to completely banish red meat from your diet so just make sure that you eat less of it. Limit your meat consumption to 18 oz. per week but stay away from processed meats such as hot dogs, sausages, bacon and deli meats. These types of meats are reported to be twice more than red meat when it comes to increasing the risk for Colon Cancer.
6. Limit alcohol intake.
Heavy drinking increases the risk for Colorectal Cancer but it’s better to just completely stop drinking in order to prevent acquiring other serious diseases.
7. Stop smoking.
I’m sure that you already know what smoking can do to your health so I don’t think I need to explain that. Remember, long-term smokers are more likely to develop any type of Cancer than non-smokers.
