Colorectal cancer can be prevented if it is caught early.
Here are 9 tips to help you prevent colon cancer.
- Eat a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables lower your risk of colon cancer as does a high fiber diet. Whole grains such as barley, buckwheat, quinoa and whole wheat lower your risk.
- Watch your weight. Although obese men are at more risk for colon cancer than obese women, being obese increases the colon cancer risk for everyone.
- Stay active. Exercising reduces colon cancer risk by as much as 40 percent and reduces your risk of other risk factors like obesity and diabetes.
- Know your genetic risk. Some people have an increased risk due to genetic mutations. So do people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Speak with your doctor about genetic counseling.
- Find out your family medical history. Knowing your family medical history can save your life. A family history of stomach, liver, and bone cancer may also put you at increased risk for colon cancer.
- Discuss your personal medical history. Time with the doctor is often limited, but be sure to discuss your personal medical history. Make sure they know if you have a history of polyps, certain cancers, or chronic inflammation of the bowel.
- Don't smoke. Tobacco smoke that's inhaled or swallowed carries carcinogens to the colon. Studies suggest that tobacco increases polyp size. One more reason NOT to smoke.
- Reduce radiation exposure. The world we live in is full of low amounts of radiation coming from the soil, radon, electronics and airplane travel. Medical x-rays like dental, mammograms and chest x-rays have fairly low radiation but others like a barium enema or a CT scan are higher. If you travel a lot, even though they claim the airport scanners are low levels of radiation, an alternative is getting pat downs.
- See your doctor if you have thin stools, cramping, unexplained weight loss, or bloody stool.
Mary Beth Potrykus
http://www.mamabearproductions.net/
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