Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer, and it is responsible for nearly 50,000 deaths per year. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help prevent getting colon cancer. For instance, it is estimated that 60% of colon cancer deaths could be prevented with regular screenings and early detection. Here are 5 colorectal cancer prevention tips that you may find helpful.
5 Colorectal Cancer Prevention Tips
1. Get Regular Screenings
Having regular screenings is perhaps the best way to protect yourself from colorectal cancer. As stated above, these relatively simple tests can prevent 60% of colorectal deaths. For patients with average risk factors, a physician will likely recommend regular colonoscopies every ten years as long as test results are negative.
A colorectal specialist might recommend you get screened more frequently if you have a family or personal history of colorectal cancer. The standard colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, Stool DNA test, High Sensitivity Fecal Occult Blood Test, and Double Contrast Barium Enema are examples of common screening procedures for colorectal cancer.
2. Change Your Lifestyle Habits
Some risk factors for colorectal cancer are preventable. Changing these habits can help minimize your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Physical inactivity, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption have all been linked to colorectal cancer. Limiting yourself to two drinks a day, quitting cigarettes, and becoming more active can greatly reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. These can be difficult things to do, but if they prevent you from getting colon cancer they are worth it.
3. Manage Your Weight and Diet
Being overweight or obese raises the risk of developing colorectal cancer in both men and women. Losing weight through diet and exercise can help drive this risk down. High fiber diets have also been linked with a lower risk for colorectal cancer. High fiber diets include lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Diets that are high in red meats and processed meats have also been shown to raise the risk of developing colon cancer.
4. Know Your Medical History
Some risk factors for colorectal cancer cannot be changed, but knowing these factors and informing your physician if any of them apply to you can help. This way both you and your doctor can be aware, which may lead to early detection of cancer.
If you or an immediate family member has a history of polyps or colorectal cancer, then your chances of developing it are higher. Your doctor needs to know about this. This is also true if you have Type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease or some inherited syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis, Lynch syndrome, Turcot syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and MUTYH-associated polyposis.
Knowledge of these factors is key, and so is telling your physician about them.
5. Know The Symptoms
Sometimes colorectal cancer is symptomless for a long time, but being on the lookout for these symptoms can still help you catch any abnormalities early and influence when and how often your colorectal specialist recommends screening. Some of the symptoms of colorectal cancer include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, rectal bleeding, cramping, weakness or fatigue, unintended weight loss, and low red blood cell count.
More Information
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have colorectal cancer. In fact, many other conditions such as IBS, infection, and hemorrhoids can cause similar symptoms. Even so, any of these symptoms are worth discussing with your doctor. They can help you determine what is causing these problems, and what the next step ought to be. To book an appointment with one of our colorectal surgeons, or to speak about other tips for colorectal cancer prevention, contact us today!