How to Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer

Colon (or colorectal) cancer is among the top 5 most frequent types of cancer in both women and men worldwide. About half the people who have colon cancer die from it. However, over 50 percent of colon cancer cases can be avoided by following basic prevention methods. There are many ways to reduce your risk of contracting colon cancer, including regular screening and consultations, quitting smoking, eating well-balanced diet, and getting regular physical activity.[1]

Method 1 - Getting Screened for Cancer

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→ Get a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy screenings typically begin when you turn 50 and are repeated every 5 to 10 years until you turn 75. This may be your doctor’s recommendation if you have no other colon cancer risk factors, such as relatives who have had colon cancer. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, your physician may advise you to have a colonoscopy before your 50th birthday.

→ Prepare for your colonoscopy screening. The colonoscopy allows doctors to remove any polyps that may be forming in your colon. Polyps take 10 to 15 years to grow and may turn into colorectal cancer.

→ You may be required to fast and go through a colon cleansing.

→ Getting a colonoscopy performed will take less than one day.

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→ Get a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). FOBTs are tests that look for hidden blood in the stool which can be signs of polyp growth or cancer. FOBTs are much less invasive than colonoscopy and can be done once a year.

→ You may often have the option of sampling your stool at home and mailing it, in a container provided to you by your doctor, to a lab to be medically tested.

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→ Try genetic testing. Genetics play a major role when it comes to your risk of colon cancer — 5 to 10 percent of colorectal cancers are caused by genetic mutations that can be inherited. If you have a first-degree relative who has had colorectal cancer (and especially if they developed it at a young age), ask your doctor about whether or not you should get tested for these mutations.

→ A number of genetic tests are available to determine whether you have a genetic mutation that predisposes you to colorectal cancer, including tests for MLH1, MSH2, APC, MSH6, PMS2, and MUTYH mutations.

→ A genetic counselor can help you understand your individual cancer risk and which type of genetic tests, if any, may be useful for you or for other members of your family.

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→ Discuss other screening options with your doctor or a health care professional. There are many different options for colon cancer screenings, many of which depend on your overall health, age, and family history. Consulting your doctor about which screening test is right for you will help you get the most accurate results possible.

→ Screening options vary from less invasive regular visits to less frequent and more invasive. If you are regularly screened with an FOBT, you may also need a colonoscopy to confirm results.

→ Return for a colonoscopy screening every 1 to 10 years, depending on what your doctor recommends. If you have precancerous polyps removed, your doctor may want you to return in 1 to 3 years. However, if you have no polyps, you may not have to return for ten years.

Method 2 - Eating a Healthy Diet

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→ Eat 5 or more servings of different vegetables and fruits every day. Consuming more fruits and vegetables every day helps reduce the risk of colon cancer while providing other beneficial effects to your health. Fruits and vegetables, like strawberries and spinach, are rich in nutrients, fiber, and cancer-fighting antioxidants.

→ If you have a sweet-tooth, try and replace processed sugars with natural sugars found in fruits.

→ Replace processed carbohydrates with vegetables, like carrots or parsnips.

→ Try to eat organic produce whenever possible. Avoid non-organic pesticide heavy foods, such as strawberries, spinach, peaches, nectarines, and cherries. If you buy conventional produce, buy items that are known to be low in pesticide residue, such as avocados, pineapples, sweet corn, cabbage, frozen sweet peas, and papaya.

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→ Eat plenty of fiber. Fiber is essential to counter-acting carcinogens and helps fuel the resident bacteria already present in our guts. Taking care of your colon by eating fibrous foods like whole grains, lentils, apples, and broccoli will reduce your risk of colon cancer.

→ Try whole wheat or seeded breads instead of breads made with processed and bleached wheat.

→ If you think you are not eating enough fiber, try a supplement like Metamucil.

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→ Decrease the amount of red and processed meats in your diet. Red and processed meats contain a combination of potentially harmful elements, from the particular type of iron present in red meat to its carcinogenic effect when being cooked at high temperatures. Avoiding red and processed meat will significantly reduce your risk of colon cancer.

→ Think of red meat as a garnish to a vegetable-heavy dish if you find you cannot live without red meat.

→ Many processed meats, like hot dogs, bacon, salami, and some lunch meats, contain sodium nitrite, which turns into a carcinogen during digestion.

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→ Avoid drinking alcohol excessively. Alcohol can be heart-healthy in small doses, but it can also increase the risk of cancer when consumed consistently. To drink in moderation and lower your risk of cancer, limit your alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks a day for adult males, and no more than one a day for adult females.

→ A single drink amounts to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (liquor).

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→ Don’t smoke. Smoking not only increases the risk of serious diseases like heart disease, emphysema, and stroke, but is also a primary cause of at least 14 different cancers, including colon cancer.

→ Consult your healthcare professional about smoking cessation products.

→ Many over the counter smoking cessation products are available at pharmacies and grocery stores.

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→ Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin. If you are 50 to 69 years of age, ask your doctor about taking a small daily dose of aspirin. Doing this for ten years may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colorectal cancer, according to recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

→ This may not be appropriate for everyone, especially if you take other medication or have other medical conditions, so make sure you talk to your doctor first.

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→ Take vitamins and supplements. Both calcium and Vitamin D can help reduce the risk of cancer. If you are having difficulty eating enough calcium and vitamin-rich foods, look for supplements in powder, pill, or capsule form.

→ If you live in an area that does not get frequent sunlight, you may benefit from Vitamin D supplements.

Method 3 - Becoming Physically Active

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→ Exercise daily. Frequent and moderate daily exercise will help you avoid a sedentary lifestyle known for producing digestive system cancers. Exercise has enormous benefits to both those of a healthy weight and those who are obese.

→ Try walking everyday for 30 minutes. Walking is a moderate exercise that may reduce your risk of colon cancer.

→ Sign up for a dance or yoga class. Dance and yoga classes may be a fun way to get moderate exercise.

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→ Maintain a healthy weight. Although exercise can reduce the risk of cancer in both those who are at a healthy weight and obese, maintaining a healthy weight will help reduce the long-term possibilities and risks of cancer.

→ Maintaining a healthy weight is achieved through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise.

→ Consult your doctor before beginning new health routines.

TIPS

→ Consult your doctor or healthcare professional with any concerns or questions you might have, and what might be the best course of action to prevent colon cancer based on your medical history.