The Poop On Colon-Rectal Cancer

Since so many of our readers are considered ‘baby boomers’ and have scheduled a ‘colonoscopy’ for the over 50 year old group, the question regularly arises: “Should I have a colonoscopy and specifically, what are my risks of developing colon cancer?”

Excellent questions! The answer to the first, ‘should I have a colonoscophy’ is a resounding, “YES” since colon-rectal cancer is relatively easy to identify and diagnose in pre-cancerous stages by the removal of growths that >may
And now, the second question: “What are my risks of developing colon cancer? What can I do to prevent it from happening to me?”

1. Aging. The older one becomes, the greater the chance of developing all types of cancers, including colorectal cancer.
2. Since it is not exactly known why colorectal cancer begins, scientists believe there may be a genetic predisposition in a person’s biological tree that is triggered by some kind of environmental factor(s) If you have inherited a history of colorectal cancer within your personal family circle, report this fact to your personal physician.
3. Eat a healthy high fiber diet, limit junk-fatty foods, and include cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.) on a regular basis.
4. Exercise regularly and avoid obesity!
5. Takes supplements that are high in antioxidants and include calcium and vitamin D.
6. Report any changes in bowel function, any rectal bleeding, and any persistent or painful hemorrhoids to your doctor.
7. Anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. NSAIDS) such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or Naproxen may help in preventing colon cancer. In addition, eating foods or taking nutritional supplements that contain red, black, and purple berries every day may have a beneficial affect against developing colorectal cancer.
8. Do not smoke or use tobacco products and limit alcohol consumption.

Better Life provides an assessment free of charge to help determine risk for developing colon-rectal cancer.

As with all cancer, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Living a healthier lifestyle and including your personal physician in your life-health decisions can help you live a better life for all your days.

ref: B.L.I