How To Prevent Colon Cancer
Prevention is always better than cure, it has been said. So it is true with colon cancer, which affects about 7 percent of the people. Unlike other forms of cancer, colon cancer can be prevented successfully by just following a careful lifestyle. It is not reliable to depend on colon cancer symptoms to detect the disease as the cancer can live in the body without showing symptoms for many years. It is definitely not an indicator of the severity of the disease however; it does show that something is wrong with your body. If you experience symptoms like blood in the rectum or bowel, abdominal pain and cramping, fatigue, weight loss and thin stools, it will be a good idea to go to a doctor and get yourself checked up. Do not wait for the symptoms to just go away and vanish. About 90 percent of the people who are diagnosed with colon cancer are above 50 years of age. Therefore in order to prevent the disease from spreading in your whole body, you must go for regular screening and checkups if you are above the age of 50. According to research, at least one in four people have polyps which later become the place where cancer cells grow. It is important to eat a healthy, well balanced meal in order to prevent any form of disease let alone colon cancer. Foods that are rich in high fatty content and cholesterol increase the risk of cancer many folds. People who are prone to cancer or have a genetic possibility of inheriting the disease must protect themselves by eating a diet rich in high fiber which has been known to have a protective effect. Research has found that obesity is also linked with an increased risk in colon cancer. Obese men are more vulnerable to the disease that obese women. Certain body types and shapes also increase or decrease the risk of acquiring the disease. People who have extra fat on their waist are at an elevated risk for colon cancer than people who have more weight on their thighs and hips. Genetic counseling has now become popular because of the various genetic links found in most diseases. Therefore if someone in your family has had colon cancer, it is a good idea for you to go for genetic counseling in order to prevent the disease. It is also important for you to know your family�s medical history. If anyone in your family has had polyps or a cancer of any other form, it is important to inform your doctor since all these factors affect your chances of developing colon cancer. If you really want to prevent colon cancer, the best thing to do is stop smoking! Smoking causes inhaled or swallowed tobacco to transport carcinogens to the colon. Tobacco is also known to increase the size of existing polyps thereby increasing your risk of developing the disease. If you follow a careful prevention plan and keep all the tips mentioned above in mind, you will greatly reduce the risk of developing the disease. All you need is patience and sincerity. |
