Can Colorectal Cancer Be Prevented?
There is no way that you confirm prevention of the colorectal cancer. But, there are certain things you can do to reduce your risk of developing the colorectal. For example, you can try to control the risk factors for colorectal cancer. Read here about the risk factors for colorectal cancer.
Screening for Colorectal Cancer
Screening is the process of diagnosing for cancerous or pre-cancerous growths in people who show no signs and symptoms of cancer. Frequent and regular colorectal cancer screening is a powerful weapon against colorectal cancer. It can detect the cancer quite early, when it’s most treatable, and help prevent the disease by finding growths called polyps that can convert into cancer.
Doctors highly recommend screening, in particular, for persons who have some family or personal history of any type of cancer. This is to ensure that the cancerous growths are detected in high-risk people even before the symptoms are visible and clear. In most cases, symptoms of colorectal cancer develop when it is too late to cure the cancer. You can know about the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer here.
If you have a strong family history of colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about your risk of developing it.
Other Preventive Measures / Lifestyle
Proper nutrition and healthy diet are important in supporting your body against the mechanisms that are responsible for the development of cancerous growths. Nutritional and lifestyle guidelines such as eating less saturated fat and getting more nutrients from the food you eat rather than from supplements, and physical activity are few examples that can help fight colorectal cancer.
Weight
If you are overweight or obese, it may put you at higher risk of colorectal cancer in both men and women. But, the association is found to be stronger in men than in women. Having more belly fat that is, a larger waistline also increased the risk of colorectal cancer. If you try to stay healthy and maintain a normal healthy weight particularly around the belly, it may help lower the risk.
Physical Activity
Inactivity is another risk factor. Increasing your activity level lowers your risk of developing colorectal cancer and polyps. It is important that you do exercise most of the days.
Diet
You should eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrition, which helps in cancer prevention.
Dietary fat from red and processed meats may contribute to the process of developing colorectal cancer. Read about cancer causing mechanism . It is found that high fat consumption increases the amount of certain substances that are released into the digestive tract and which could promote growth of tumors and polyps in the colon.
Antioxidants
It is being researched whether antioxidants help fight colorectal and other cancers. Antioxidants work by improving the body’s defence mechanism against free radicals which are potentially dangerous.
Alcohol
Stop or at least limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Smoking
Stop smoking! Discuss with your doctor about ways to quit it if you find it too difficult for you.
