March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, behind lung cancer. Colorectal cancer awareness is so important because many cases are preventable!
How is colon cancer prevented? A screening colonoscopy! At NP Women’s Health, we are dedicated to your overall health and wellbeing and will order this screening test for you. It is recommended to begin screening colonoscopies at the age of 45. Those with a family history of colon cancer may be at higher risk and require earlier and more frequent screening. Talk to Kelly or Sarah about your family history and we can determine if you qualify for hereditary cancer screening. This is a simple blood test drawn in our office that will assess if you are at higher risk for certain cancers in your lifetime.
However, most cases of colorectal cancers are not related to a genetic mutation. The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age, as well as lifestyle choices such as dietary habits, smoking, and alcohol. How can you decrease your risk of colorectal cancer?
- Eat a healthy diet - limit red meat intake, avoid processed meat such as hot dogs, ham, bacon, and sausage. Also, increase your daily consumption of fruits and veggies! Plant foods contain fiber and nutrients that can decrease your risk for many diseases, including colorectal cancer.
- Exercise – Increasing your physical activity can reduce your risk by 30 – 40%. Thirty to sixty minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day is recommended to protect against colorectal cancer.
- Avoid alcohol and cigarettes – Alcohol is known to increase your risk of cancer. Long term cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer; the longer a person smokes, the greater the risk.
