Best Ways to Prevent Colon Cancer

Colon cancer (Colorectal Cancer or CRC) is a disease that can affect anyone, but it disproportionately affects people who are male or over 50. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States and kills more than 50,000 Americans each year. CRC can be prevented.; here's how.

What is Colon Cancer?

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon, which is the large intestine. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and its rates are higher among men than women.

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and weight loss. People over age 50 have a greater risk for CRC than younger adults. CRC can often be treated successfully if it is caught early.

Colon Cancer Symptoms can include:

-changes in bowel habits

-blood in the stool

-abdominal pain

-weight loss

-constipation

-diarrhea

How to Prevent Colon Cancer

Colon cancer can be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. Here are some tips for preventing colon cancer:

• Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables: Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to prevent colon cancer. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, which helps keep your digestive system healthy. They are also a good source of antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage. Antioxidants can also help reduce your risk for other types of cancer.
• Avoid Processed Foods: Processed foods are foods that have been modified from their original state. Processed foods are a significant contributor to obesity and other health problems. The best way to avoid processed foods is to eat healthy whole foods.
• Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise is one of the best ways to prevent CRC. Exercise helps keep your body healthy by reducing your risk for obesity and other health problems. It also helps keep your digestive system healthy. The best way to get regular exercise is to find a physical activity that you enjoy and do it regularly.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best ways to prevent Colorectal cancer Excess weight increases your risk for Colon Cancer, making it more challenging to treat if you do get diagnosed. The best way to maintain a healthy weight is to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
• Limit Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for CRC. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage your cells and increase your risk for cancer. The best way to reduce your risk for Colorectal Cancer is to limit your alcohol consumption.
• Get Screened for Colon Cancer Regularly: Colonoscopies are the best way to detect CRC early when treatment has the best chance of being successful. Colonoscopy screening should be done every ten years starting at age 50 for those without any symptoms or family history of colon cancer. If you have signs or a family history of colorectal cancer.

Treatment for Colon Cancer

If Colon Cancer is caught early, it can often be treated successfully. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery is the most common treatment for CRC. It involves removing the cancerous tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue.

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is often used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may remain. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams of radiation to kill cancer cells. It is often used as an alternative to surgery or chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Get screened for colorectal cancer today. Colon cancer can be cured if it is caught early. Colon cancer screenings are available at most doctors' offices. If you are over age 50 or have a family history of CRC, be sure to get screened for the disease.