Protecting your bottom line: how to reduce your risk of colon cancer

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in men and fourth among women, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS); luckily there are proven ways you can protect your 'bottom' line and reduce your risk of developing colon cancer. The ACS recommends men and women 45 years or older get a colon cancer screening; undergoing regular, routine screenings is show to reduce the risk of colon cancer deaths by at least 60%.

“Colon cancer does not always show symptoms in the initial stages. That’s why it is vitally important that our patients stay committed to receiving their regular recommended screenings,” says James Bruce, MD, Saint Agnes Care Colon and Rectal Surgeon. “Early detection is key to positive outcomes and a lower mortality rate.”'

In addition to your regular screening, there are some other lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce your risk of developing colon cancer:


Eat a high fiber diet

Let’s talk about gut health! Diets high in fat and low in fiber can increase your risk of colon cancer. Food is a powerful tool in fighting and preventing disease. Working on incorporating fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your diet can increase the amount of fiber you eat and support your gut health. Eating less processed meat that contain carcinogens, like bacon or hot dogs, can also lower your risk.

Get screened

As mentioned above, regular screening is the most reliable way to prevent colon cancer. Screenings can catch abnormal growths, called polyps, before they turn into cancer. A Colonoscopy is the most accurate and common type of screening, but there are also tests that check for blood and cancer DNA in your stool called Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-DNA testing or one that only checks for blood called FIT-only testing.

Get regular exercise

Exercising regularly can have benefits for both heart health and cancer prevention, by helping to reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy body weight. It’s recommended you do 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense exercise a week, but even small amounts of exercise can be effective for those who aren’t currently active. Start slowly and increase your duration and intensity over time.

Limit alcohol use

There is lots of evidence that shows alcohol and tobacco consumption can raise the risk of cancer. As the body breaks down alcohol, it turns it into a substance called acetaldehyde which may damage the DNA in the colon, cause inflammation and disrupt your gut microbiome. Smoking tobacco works similarly by exposing the colon to cancer-causing chemicals, which increase your risk of developing polyps.

Remember, everyone’s risk of colon cancer is different. Talk to your primary care physician about your individual risk factors—your provider can help create a plan, including recommended colon cancer screenings, based off your unique cancer risk.

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