Over the years, the number of people over the age of 55 with colon cancer has gone up by 3%. According to statistics from research, it is estimated that over 100,000 adults in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year. Of these numbers, there is expected a death toll of over 50,000. Colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer every year, however, if it is found early then it can be cured. What’s more crucial is to prevent it from happening by practicing ways of lowering your chances. Following a few simple steps every day can improve your health, lower your risks of colon cancer, and save your life.
Get Screened
This method is the most important one you must do to for prevention of colon cancer. Getting screened will allow doctors to find any kind of growth or polyps so they can remove them before it turns into cancer. The purpose of these screenings is to find cancer long before signs of symptoms develop. Something so simple as going to get a screening/colonoscopy done can ultimately save your life. It is recommended by the American Cancer Society to begin testing at the age of 45. But if you worry due to issues or family history, you should consult with your doctor. Getting a head start is the key to success, the same goes for your health.
Healthy Diet
Your diet plays an essential part in your body’s health. The nutrients you put into your body are what fuel your body and give it the energy to protect it from threats. Researchers have linked eating a lot of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains with a lower risk of colon cancer. Red meat and processed meats give you a higher risk of colon cancer. Always be mindful by what you are putting into your body, because that can be a factor of what help you or hurt you.
No Smoking
Smoking is a bad habit that has many negative effects on your body. It can cause lung cancer, and increase your chances of developing and dying from colon cancer. This is especially true and serious for long-term smokers. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. If you need help quitting, seek help from your doctor or a counselor, this will increase your chances of quitting.
Watch Your Weight
Being overweight raises your overall risk of cancer. Research shows that many different kinds of cancer has been linked to being overweight, and obesity. Having a lot of belly fat has been linked to colon cancer. It is safe to maintain a healthy weight for your height and avoid gaining too much weight, especially around your midsection.
Exercise
There are many benefits of exercising, it will make your heart healthier, give you a mental boost, and reduce your risk of cancer. Any kind of physical activity from taking a long walk with a friend, to regular to riding a bike can lower your risk of colon cancer. Thirty minutes a day of any moderate physical activity will steer you away from cancer.
Limit Alcohol
Consuming a lot of alcohol increases your risk of colon cancer, especially among men. If you are going to have a drink, then it is important to do it in moderation. Talk with your doctor, friend, or a counselor if you have a problem and want to cut down or quit, because it is beneficial to your heart and body’s overall health.
Colon cancer develops more in men than women, and more in those 55 and older. Taking care of our body is the most reliable ways to prevent cancer. We are only given one body, so it is essential to try to keep it as healthy as we can with these small, yet powerful methods. Get screened, eat right, work out, avoid smoking, and drink in moderation. It is never too late to start, so treat your body right and it will do the same for you.