Colon Cancer Prevention

Thousands of people die from colon cancer every year. Its exact cause is not known, but every indication points to environmental and genetic involvement. Inadequate diet, lack of exercise, and old age are other potential causes of colon cancer for many people. However, it is now known that most cases of colon cancer could have been prevented, while about 95% of victims can be saved if the disease is detected early enough. In actual fact, colon cancer prevention is the best solution available for the disease today.

Medical Colon Cancer Prevention

Colon cancer can be effectively prevented medically. The first rule is to ensure that screening is regularly done as soon as you reach 50 years of age. Findings reveal that on the average, colon cancer occurs at about 64 years of age, while 90% of victims of colon cancer are above 49 years old. Also, 25% of people are often diagnosed with polyps at 50 years of age. Therefore, colonoscopy should be performed at about 50 years of age for quick detection, and early removal of polyps. In addition, a visit to the physician as soon as any symptom is found is necessary. Changes in stool consistency and sudden reduction in weight are signs of advanced stages of colon cancer, and should be urgently attended to.

Colon Cancer Prevention by Changing Lifestyle & Eating Habits

It is highly advisable to replace foods high in cholesterol or fat with diets high in fiber to avoid colon cancer. Coupled with this is the fact that obese people have a higher risk of having colon cancer than slim people. Also, obese women are at a lower risk than obese men. More importantly, it is best to maintain a very active lifestyle by exercising regularly and correctly. Avoid smoking or being exposed to radiation in order to keep your body tissues intact. Other important habits to avoid are drinking and the eating of red meat.

Colon Cancer Prevention by Following Family History and Genetics

Colon cancers (including most other cancers) are often related to family history and genetics. A specific example of genetic transmission of colon cancer is the Ashkenazi Jews who have high possibility of having colon cancer. Generally, family history and genetics should be discussed with the family doctor including little cases of polyps and other forms of cancer to keep your doctor aware of the possibility of colon cancer and tackle it in the early stage. Personal medical conditions should be well explained to your physician. It is better to take this more serious if there are family members who had colon cancer at a younger age.

Conclusively, people may develop colon cancer whether they are at a higher risk or not. It is essential to ward off colon cancer as much as possible, and if for any reason, it presents itself at any time, early detection and removal of polyps has been found to save 95% of all victims.