According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer rates have been increasing by 1% to 2% a year since the mid-1990s in people younger than age 55. Screening is essential to catching colon cancer before it spreads.
In addition to recommended screening, here’s what you can do to reduce your chance of developing colon cancer:
- Get screened as recommended, starting at age 45 – or earlier for those with certain risk factors. Screening and early detection can stop colon cancer before you even need treatment.
- Know your family’s cancer history so your provider can determine whether early screening is the right move for you.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight.
- Pay attention to your body and talk with your healthcare provider if you experience blood in your stool, frequent/ongoing constipation or unexplained weight loss.
- Eat foods high in fiber including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and if you eat red or processed meats, have no more than three portions per week of meat such as beef, pork, and lamb and processed meats such as bacon, sausage, deli meats and hot dogs.
- If you drink alcohol, limit drinks containing alcohol to no more than one per day for women and two per day for men.
- Don’t smoke.
Even if you tick all these boxes for decreasing your risk, screening is the best way to ensure colon cancer doesn’t sneak up on you.
Have you been screened? Need a primary care provider to refer you for the health screenings you need? Learn more at winonahealth.org/primarycare.
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