Dissecting the Dos and Don’ts of Colon Cancer Prevention
People inquiring about colon cancer often know that getting screened can be crucial, but that doesn’t make it easy. Anxiety about getting a colonoscopy, from the liquid diet to prep for the test itself, is common. Getting screened is not a pleasant task; however, it is the best tool available.
Is finding out worth the preparation involved? YES. Early screening saves lives.
According to a study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the five-year survival rate when diagnosed with Colon Cancer in the "local stage” is greater than 90 percent. However, this study also reported that only 40 percent of patients with colorectal cancer get diagnosed when the disease is at this stage. Meaning, it is highly preventable, but people are less likely to catch cancer in time.
Now, don't go run 10 miles, do yoga for hours, or bench press hundreds of pounds. Physical health is about steadily replacing one habit with a healthier one. Start small, with something woven into everyday life. Get off the train a stop sooner and walk or stroll around the track at the field while your kids are at practice. Once you have an established routine, move on to activities that increase your heart rate.
Is your diet heavy on fatty foods or red meat? How much fiber are you getting? Make sure that most meat you eat is lean meats and fish.
Intriguing research published in Nature Communications recommends how quickly changing your diet can improve the health of your colon.
Researchers did a diet swap with 20 rural South Africans, who ate mostly vegetables, beans, and a little meat and 20 Americans, used to a typical diet of more meat, cheese, and fried foods.
After just two weeks, the colon samples from the Americans eating more vegetables showed less inflammation and fewer biomarkers associated with cancer, while the Africans showed a dramatic increase in inflammation and cancer biomarkers.
Talk to your family about family risk and history.
People seldom are hesitant to speak about their health, with their families. It’s imperative to exceed such barriers, especially for those who have a family history of colon cancer.