Colon Cancer, Detect Early to Save Your Life – What Are The Risk Factors?

Colon cancer is said to be a preventable disease if detected at early stage; the colon area is now the third most common site of new cancer cases and deaths in the United States. It is said that Colon cancer is a disease of Western Cultures; there were an estimated one hundred forty eight thousand, three hundred new cases and fifty six thousands deaths from the disease.

The incidence increases with age; meaning the incidence of getting this disease is highest in older people ages eighty and above and for those people with a family history of colon cancer with inflammatory bowel disease or polyps. The exact cause of colon cancer is still unknown, but the risk factors have been identified.

Risk factors for colon cancer are increasing age, family history of colon cancer or polyps, previous colon cancer, and a history of inflammatory bowel disease. High fat and high protein diet with high intake of beef are also included especially with low fiber diet in meals.

The change in bowel habits is the most common symptoms of colon cancer. This symptom is associated with abdominal pain which is in right side of the abdomen. Aside from that, there is also a presence of black tarry stool.

Improved screening strategies have helped to reduce the number of deaths in recent years. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment could save almost three of every four people with colon cancer. If the disease is detected at early stage there is about ninety percent survival rate.

To reduce the risk of getting colon cancer, people must have a diet that is high in fiber because according to studies, lack of fiber is one of the major causative factors of this disease. This is because the passage of feces in the intestinal tract is prolonged, which extends to the exposure of the carcinogens or chemicals that is harmful to the body.

Exercising more often is recommended because it can help in improving the blood circulation of the body. Reducing their intake of alcohol and foods that are high in fats, cholesterol, and protein can also help in preventing the condition because excess fats are believed to alter bacteria in the intestine and then it is converted to compounds that have harmful properties.

It is also suggested to stop smoking because according to studies, smoking can cause different kinds of cancers because of the chemicals that it contains which are very dangerous to the body.