Colon cancer is not a common topic of conversation, but it is a fairly common type of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), about 102,900 new cases of colon cancer are diagnosed each year. When coupled with rectal cancer, which accounts for about 39,670 new cases annually, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women, excluding skin cancers.
The last five feet of the intestine make up the colon where nutrients from food are digested and stools are formed. Colon cancer usually begins as an overgrowth of normal cells, called a polyp. It takes about 10 to 15 years for these polyps to develop into colon cancer. But the polyps can be removed when detected early through screening so cancer can be avoided or even prevented.
Colon cancer has no single cause. Some people have a higher risk of developing colon cancer because this form of the disease tends to run in families. Others who are diagnosed with the disease have a personal history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, or certain inherited gene changes that can cause the disease. Being over the age of 50 and African American also can increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
So what can you do to reduce your risk of colon cancer? Plenty. While you cannot control your age, race or family history, there are a number of lifestyle-related steps you can take to help prevent the disease.
- Eat five or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits daily. Avoid a diet that is high in red meats, such as beef or lamb, and processed meats, including hot dogs. Opt for whole grains instead of refined grains, and limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women and two per day for men.
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Exercise. The ACS recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity for adults on five or more days of the week.
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Manage your weight. While being overweight or obese increases the risk for colon cancer in both men and women, this risk tends to be stronger in men.
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Don’t smoke. Some of the substances from smoking that can cause cancer are swallowed and can increase the risk of the disease developing in the digestive system, which includes the colon.
Just because you have a risk factor for colon cancer does not mean you will develop the disease. People who do not have any identifiable risk factors for colon cancer should begin regular colorectal screening at age 50. Those with risk factors for the disease should talk to their doctor about being screened at a younger age and/or being screened more frequently.
Colon cancer often does not cause any symptoms. But it can be detected at an early stage through screening when it is most curable. For more information about colon cancer, talk with your doctor or visit the ACS website at www.cancer.org or call 404-466-WELL for a free referral to a physician near you.