Cancer and Healthy

Colon cancer is a word that no one wants to hear. But it does not necessarily mean a death sentence. If you detect it early enough, it is curable. But to increase your odds for surviving this form of cancer you need to educate yourself about the disease. It is important that you learn the risks factors and what you can do to prevent if from happening to you.

There are many risk factors that can increase your chances for developing this devastating disease. Knowing these risk factors may save your life. Keep reading for a list of the risk factors.

Are You at Risk?

1. Over 50 years of age.
It is possible for younger people to get colon cancer, but it is more prevalent in people who are 50 or older.

2. Inactivity.
People who live a sedentary lifestyle have a higher chance of developing it due to the fact that inactivity can lead to constipation. The longer the waste stays in your bowel, the more damage it can do.

3. Certain lifestyle choices.
If you smoke or consume a lot of alcohol you are increasing your risk. In fact, studies have shown that smoking can increase your risk of developing colon cancer by as much as 40%.

4. High fat low fiber diet.
Not only does this lead to obesity which increases your risk of developing cancer, this type of diet itself can be a contributor to the development of this disease.

5. Hereditary factors.
If a close relative has colon cancer, your risk increases significantly. If you have more than one close relative with the condition, then your risk increases even more.

6. Personal history of polyps or cancer.
If you have a history of colon polyps or have a past history of colon cancer then your risk for developing it again is very high. You should make sure that you get regular check ups.

7. Any disease that affects the colon.
If you have inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or other genetic disorders you can have a much higher risk.

These are some of the major risk factors for colon cancer. If you have any of these risk factors, you should talk to your doctor right away about being screened.

How do You Prevent Colon Cancer?

Making lifestyles changes right now can significantly reduce your risk. These changes are very easy to implement and could save your life. It will take dedication on your part to make the necessary changes. But they are necessary to cut your risks.

Start by changing your diet. Eat low fat high fiber foods. The high fiber will keep your colon cleansed of harmful toxins. A low fat diet will help you lose weight and lower your risk of developing the disease.

Start an exercise program and stick to it. Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your body in terms of improving your overall health.

Most importantly if you smoke or drink excessively, stop right now. This will decrease your cancer risks and improve your health. It will also make it easier to stick to an exercise program and to eat a healthy diet.

So as you can see, all of these lifestyles changes to prevent colon cancer coincide with each other. It is never to late to get healthy.