Colon Cancer Prevention

If you are an individual who is quite involved in bettering their own health and preventing as many personal diseases and disorders as possible, you may already be aware that colorectal cancer is very preventable. The American Cancer Society has very specific diet guidelines and recommendations for testing. If the general population would adhere to the recommendations, the occurrence of colorectal cancer would definitely be far less. Not only would less people develop the cancer, those that do would be diagnosed much sooner and have a significant higher chance for a cure.

The key to a cure of colorectal cancer is the early detection by screening. The sooner it is identified, the better. Annual screening, especially as people age, has been proven to extend and save lives. The screening process can and frequently does pinpoint precancerous polyps giving doctors the opportunity to remove them before they become cancerous. Unfortunately, not enough people undergo the screening so as a result, colorectal cancer is still the second largest fatal cancer with the number one being lung cancer.

Some of the most basic recommendations suggested for the prevention of colorectal cancer are really pretty easy to follow. For starters, each individual should have knowledge of their own family history and undergo annual screenings. The American Cancer Society suggests that at the age of fifty, annual screening with digital rectal exams and testing for fecal occult blood should be routine. Individuals should undergo a colonoscopy every ten years and a flexible sigmoidoscopy every three years. These evaluations can detect precancerous polyps initiating the removal of these growths. Again, these are the most basic of tests are more involved procedures may be required for detection but this is a good start.

Another necessary guideline to follow is to eat a diet high in vegetables and fruits. Try to enjoy food high in fiber and stay away from red meat. Diet plays a significant role in the incidence of colorectal cancer. Limiting the intake of red meats greatly reduces the risks of polyps by lowering the cholesterol levels and saturated fats. Ingesting fruits and vegetables provides antioxidants that help protect us from cancer causing, and A are found in many fruits and vegetables. Not only important vitamins and minerals found in these fruits and veggies but also the almighty fiber. Fiber is highly underrated by many people. Fiber helps protect us against those nasty toxins and benign diseases of the colon. Fiber also helps to lower cholesterol levels.

Not everyone is able to eat sufficiently so it is suggested to take a good multi vitamin on a daily basis. This will help provide the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary to promote good health. Discuss with your doctor the importance of taking the appropriate amount of calcium and selenium with your supplements. It may also be necessary to take a supplement high in fiber to satisfy your body’s requirement.

A couple more suggestions that will be of great benefit are to get some exercise and if you are a smoker, stop. The smoking part of these recommendations is really pretty simple, you must stop. Studies have proven that smoking is definitely a negative factor when it comes to cancer. There are different ways to quit so consult your doctor.

Finally, include about thirty minutes of exercise in your day. Studies have shown that exercise helps prevent colorectal cancer. One of the best and easiest ways to get that thirty minutes in is to walk. Commit to a good, aggressive walk every day and you will see positive results.

For the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer, one needs to start following some pretty basic, not very complicated suggestions. This is one cancer that is quite preventable and curable.