How to Reduce Your Risk for Colorectal Cancer

Colon polyps and colorectal cancer affect many Americans each year. Most people don't even know they have colorectal cancer until it's too late. This article will educate you on how to reduce your risk for colorectal cancer.

Instructions

• 1

  Get a colonoscopy every 5-10 years. Getting a colonoscopy done can reduce your risk of colon cancer. A colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the large colon and part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. When doctors perform a colonoscopy they are looking for colon polyps that can later become colon cancer. If a doctor finds these polyps, they can usually remove them through surgical intervention thus lessening your risk of developing cancer. It is generally recommended that you get a colonoscopy every 5-10 years or as recommended by your caring physician. If you are unsure of when you should start getting regular colonoscopy performed, ask your doctor.

• 2

  Reduce the intake of red or processed meat. Eating a lot of red and processed meats can increase your risk for colon cancer. these meats sometimes are made with chemicals that can cause the formation of colon polyps and colon polyps can lead to cancer. It is recommended that you cut back on red and processed meats and start substituting them for meats like chicken or fish. Chicken and fish are processed with very little chemicals and are a healthy part of any nutritious diet.

• 3

  Increase your intake of dietary fiber. Fiber intake can reduce your risk of colon cancer by decreasing the formation of colon polyps which can lead to cancer. Foods that contain fiber include: bran cereals, fruits like kiwi and prunes and some yogurts. You are recommended to consume at least 30 grams of fiber each day to help reduce your risk of colon cancer. If you are planning on supplementing some of these foods with fiber pills, consult with your doctor for possible alternatives.