March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. There’s no better time than now to make sure you know the facts and are up to date on screenings for this
Not “just” a disease for older men, colon cancer is the third-most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. and is affecting younger people at alarming rates. Richard Wong, MD, gastroenterologist and MetroHealth Associate Director of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, offers five ways to keep your colon healthy.
1
Get colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45.
Screening can find colon and rectal cancers before you have any symptoms. If you have risk factors for colon cancer, such as family history, you may need to get screened earlier. Black Americans in the U.S. have one of the highest risks of dying from colon cancer, in part because it is often not found until symptoms occur.
There are stool-based screening tests you can do from home, like the FIT Test or Cologuard. If the results of these tests are worrisome, your doctor will recommend a colonoscopy. Any test is better than no test. However, a colonoscopy is the best way to find and remove growths, called polyps, that may turn into cancer. A colonoscopy requires some preparation and involves having a scope inserted through the length of your colon (you are under sedation). If the colonoscopy is normal and there are no significant risk factors, you may not require another screening colonoscopy for 10 years.
To hear more about your colon cancer screening options, click here.
2
Maintain a healthy weight.
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of getting adenomas, polyps that are more likely to become cancer. 3
Watch what you eat and drink.
Red meat and processed meats like bacon, hot dogs, sausages, deli meats and jerky have been shown to increase colon cancer risk. The same goes for alcohol. You don’t need to cut out your favorites altogether, but try choosing them less often, relying more on whole foods rather than processed items. Eating vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale can reduce colon cancer risk, and some research shows that upping your fiber intake with whole grains can also protect colon health. 4
Get moving
Lack of physical activity and sitting for too long at a stretch can increase your risk of colon cancer. Try for bursts of exercise throughout the week and during the day. Set an alarm to remind yourself to get up once an hour and walk around. Every little bit helps. 5
Quit smoking
Smoking tobacco increases the risk of many types of cancer, including colon cancer. Our smoking-cessation program can help you quit for good.
Bonus Recipe
Gut-Healthy Vegetable Stew
Contributed by: Jennifer Bier, MS, RD, LD Manager | Ambulatory Nutrition
Next Steps
Talk with your primary care provider about your risk for colon cancer. If you have a referral from your provider to schedule a colonoscopy, call (216) 778-5381. To learn more, visit metrohealth.org/colon-cancer-screenings.
