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How To Lower Your Risk Of Colon Cancer
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Symptoms of colon cancer
Symptoms of colon cancer often don’t appear early, and sometimes by the time they do become apparent, it is only after the cancer may have already grown. Here are some of the common symptoms of colon cancer which should be investigated if you have any of them.
- Rectal bleeding.
- Dark stools or blood in the stools.
- Frequent cramping and belly pain.
- A sudden change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, or constipation, which lasts for several days without relief.
- A constant feeling that you need to have a bowel movement which does not go away, even if you do have one.
- Unusual weakness and fatigue.
- Rapid, unexplained weight loss.
Note that there are some symptoms, similar to those of colon cancer, like irritable bowel syndrome, infection, or inflammation in the bowel, and haemorrhoids, which may not be a sign of cancer at all. However, those symptoms are still worth a medical check-up just to be on the safe side.
How to lower your chances of getting colon cancer
At first glance, the cancer symptoms may seem quite hectic, but this is nothing compared to how devastated you will be if you actually develop the disease. Fortunately, there are actions that you can take to protect yourself from this illness.
- The most important thing is to get screened before there are any symptoms of colon cancer. Screening is a test that will establish if there are any signs of cancer, and may even identify growths known as polyps, which can easily be removed before they develop into cancer.
- Embark on a healthy diet which includes plenty of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. Cut out refined foods wherever possible.
- Eat less red meat like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed fast foods, which have all been known to be a colon cancer risk.
- Get physically active with regular exercise.
- Control your weight. Being overweight is a high risk of getting the disease – and dying from it.
- Quit smoking because long-term smokers have a major risk of developing not only colon cancer, but several other cancers.
- The America Cancer Society also warns about heavy drinking being linked to colon, and other deadly cancers. Protect yourself, and your life, by cutting down on alcohol intake.
READ ALSO: 11 Surprising Things That Can Be Causing Cancer Video
These are just simple steps which you can take to lower your risk of this abhorrent disease.
Colon cancer is preventable. Simple lifestyle changes and screening before symptoms appear will give you the best chance of avoiding the disease. Taking action can save your life – after all it is the only one you have!
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