Colon cancer doesn’t get similar attention as some higher-profile cancers, however, it ought to. It’s the third commonest cancer within u. s., with 140,000 folks diagnosed annually. And over 1,000,000 men and ladies suffer a history of the unwellness.
Then there’s the great news regarding colon cancer: It is prevented. 75 % of all cases may well be avoided by stuff you will do.
to lowering your risk, Use these eight tips as a guide. begin with one or 2 and build from there. It’s your health. take control.
1. Get Screened
Getting regular screening tests for carcinoma is the single best way to defend yourself from the unwellness. It will catch cancer early, once it’s most treatable, and facilitate stop the unwellness by finding abnormal growths known as polyps which will develop into cancer.There are a variety of effective screening tests for carcinoma. Some are straightforward to try and do however need to be done more usually. Others are more concerned however got to be done less usually. that check you've got depends on your personal preferences and case history.
Most people ought to begin screening at age fifty. Though, some tips suggest age forty-five. folks with a case history of carcinoma or alternative vital risk factors could begin testing even younger and obtain tested more usually. speak with a doctor regarding the potential costs and benefits of various tests and what’s right for you.
Choose one among these suggested screening choices. If a take a look at finds something suspicious, a follow-up colonoscopy is sometimes required.
Fecal Occult biopsy (FOBT)/Fecal immunochemical check (FIT)
How often: once a year
Tests that search for hidden blood within the stool, which may be proof of cancer. The take a look at is fast and simple. you only take small samples of your stool at home, that are then sent to a laboratory to be tested.
OR
Colonoscopy
How often: each ten years
A small flexible tube with a camera at the top is employed to look at the complete length of the inside of the colon. you're insensible for the take a look at, so you wish a ride home later. If the communicating finds polyps or alternative suspicious growths, they will be removed during the check.
OR
Flexible endoscopy
How often: each 5 years
An examination just like a colonoscopy that uses a tiny low flexible tube to look at the lower part of the colon (the sigmoid). You don’t get to be insensible for an endoscopy.
OR
Virtual endoscopy
How often: each 5 years
A type of CT scan that makes an explicit three-D image of the within of the colon. during the take, a look at, a tiny low tube is inserted into the rectum to carefully inflate the colon with air. The scan itself takes simply some minutes.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Except for smoking, nothing else raises the risk of cancer over being overweight. a minimum of eleven completely different cancers is coupled to weight gain and fatness, as well as carcinoma. a perfect goal is to weigh around what you probably did after you were eighteen years old. Realistically, if you’ve placed on weight, the primary goal is to prevent gaining weight, that has health advantages by itself. Then, for a much bigger health boost, slowly work to lose some pounds.3. Don’t Smoke
It hardly desires speech communication any longer, however not smoking is that the single smartest thing you'll do for your health. On high of raising the danger of great diseases like cardiovascular disease, stroke, and respiratory disorder, smoking could be a major reason behind a minimum of fourteen completely different cancers, together with carcinoma. If you are doing smoke, quitting has real advantages, that begin shortly once your last coffin nail. decision 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit smokefree.gov for facilitating. reproval a doctor will double your probability of success.
4. Be Physically Active
It’s arduous to beat regular activity. It lowers the danger of the many serious diseases, together with carcinoma, and provides an honest mental boost. Any quantity of physical activity is best than none, however, it’s smart to aim for around half-hour or additional of moderate activity on a daily basis. opt for stuff you relish, like brisk walking, cycling, Terpsichore or husbandry.5. Drink solely Moderately, if at All
Alcohol could be a strange issue once it comes to health. It’s wholesome carefully, however, will increase the danger of colon and alternative cancers at even low levels. thus what will this mean? If you drink moderately (up to at least one drink per day for girls, 2 per day for men), there’s doubtless no reason for you to prevent. If you don’t drink, though, there’s no reason for you to begin. serious drinkers ought to try and prevent or quit.6. Limit red meat, particularly Processed Meat
Eating too much red meat – like steak, hamburger, and pork – will increase the danger of carcinoma. processed meats also – like bacon....– raise risk even more. try and eat no more than 3 servings every week. Less is even good.7. Get Enough calcium( Ca) and vitamin D
There is good proof that obtaining enough Ca and vitamin D will help defend against carcinoma. aim 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams per day of Ca and concerning 1,000 international units (IU) per day of vitamin d. Some teams suggest testing for vitamin D deficiency, particularly in those with multiplied risk of low levels, like those living in northern parts of the country similarly as aged folks, terribly overweight people and other people with darker skin.8. contemplate a multivitamin pill With folate
A daily multivitamin pill could be a smart nutrition insurance which will additionally facilitate defend against carcinoma. additionally to Ca and vitamin D, multivitamins contain folic acid, that has been shownin varied studies to lower the danger of carcinoma. Avoid mega-dose vitamins. a regular multivitamin pill is all you wish.