Colon Cancer Prevention

Colon cancer is a very common type of cancer yet it is preventable. There are some ways that you can practice colon cancer prevention. Colon cancer can be treated more successfully the earlier it is diagnosed. The first step towards colon cancer prevention is to eat a healthy diet. Be sure to eat foods that are rich in fiber as this helps to keep the colon functioning properly.

Maintaining a healthy weight is also a good way to help in colon cancer prevention. Those who are overweight are at a much higher risk of getting colon cancer at some time in their lives. Regular exercise can also help with colon cancer prevention. Studies have found that daily exercise can decrease your risk of getting colon cancer by as much as 40%. These lifestyle changes alone are often enough to provide colon cancer prevention.

Those who smoke are at a higher risk for all types of cancer including colon cancer. The good news is that when you quit smoking the body slowly recovers and your cancer risk will go down the longer you go without smoking.

Genetics may play a role in colon cancer risk. If you have any close family members who have had colon cancer you are automatically at a higher risk. Take the proper precautions for colon cancer prevention. Pay close attention to the signs and symptoms of colon cancer. Get genetic counseling to learn more about the risk factors.

The single most important thing you can do is to get a regular colonoscopy. This is a special exam that uses a scope to look at the inside of the colon to check for cancer, polyps and pre-cancerous conditions. This should be done regularly after the age of 50 or younger if you are at a higher risk.