Newswise — With colorectal cancer the second leading cause of cancer death, it’s a great time to take a look at the health of your colon.
“Colorectal cancer surpasses breast and prostate cancers as a leading cause of cancer death in men and women,” said Dr. James Yoo, assistant professor of surgery and chief of the colon & rectal surgery program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “It is largely preventable with early screening and detection.”
9 Tips to Lower Your Risk of Colorectal Cancer
- Receive regular colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 50 if you are at normal risk.
- If you are at higher risk, due to a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, other cancers or inflammatory bowel disease, talk to your doctor about screenings before age 50.
- Eat between 25 and 30 grams of fiber each day, from fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, nuts, and beans.
- Eat a low-fat diet. Colorectal cancer has been associated with diets high in saturated fat.
- Eat foods with folate, such as leafy green vegetables.
- Drink alcohol in moderation and quit smoking. Alcohol and tobacco in combination are linked to colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers.
- Exercise for at least 20 minutes three to four days a week. Moderate exercise such as walking, gardening or climbing stairs may help reduce your risk.
- Report to your doctor any persistent symptoms such as blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits, weight loss, narrower-than-usual stools, abdominal pains or other gastrointestinal complaints.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
For more information, please visit the Web site of the American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org.