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10 Ways to Prevent & Avoid Colon Cancer

Updated on January 3, 2012

It is astonishing how colon cancer has one of the highest rates in the western world. In fact, the American Cancer Society has ranked colon cancer as the third most common cancer diagnosed in both sexes in the U.S. Colon cancer is characterized by a malignant tumor appearing in the inner lining of the colon. It often appears after a long prolonged diet of processed meats, few vegetables and highly processed junk food.

In the same way that breast cancer has been widely associated with women, colon cancer has been mainly associated with older men above the age of 50. However, even women are susceptible to colon cancer. Lately an increasing number of expecting young mothers are being diagnosed with colon cancer.

Like all cancers, colon cancer is certainly not genetic - so before you resign yourself to a fatalist attitude, here are some simple habits that you can implement in your lifestyle to avoid and completely prevent colon cancer;

1. Eat plenty of roughages. There are many ways of including more roughage in your diet including salads and opting for vegetarian meals in restaurants instead of junk food. It has been shown that regular intake vitamin B, found naturally in green leafed vegetables and peanuts, can help cut the chances of colon cancer by more than half.

2. Drink water. You've probably heard this numerous times if you read health and fitness magazines. Drinking sodas and sugared drinks is not the best way to increase your water content. Pure sparkling water has a refreshing taste and yes, it can be taken alone without any additional flavoring. Drink warm water early in the morning to stimulate healthy bowel movement.

3. Yoga. Yoga is a wholistic training program for the body and it is not surprising that there are specialized yoga poses to help combat constipation and promote blood circulation to the bowels to keep them youthful and healthy. Join yoga classes or find free instructions for yoga from websites like Yoga for Beginners and Yoga for You.

4. Exercise. Colon cancer has been found to be more common among those with an apple-shaped body, as compared to those with a pear-shaped body. An apple-shaped body is where a person has majority of their fat around their stomach while a pear-shaped body is where a person has a larger fat deposit around their hips and thighs. The best thing to do is to exercise such that you can maintain a healthy toned body. A brisk daily walk of 30 – 45 minutes is can go a great way to maintain a toned fit body.

5. Cut down Sodium. A study conducted by Japanese shows that excessive salt as increasing the risk of colon cancer. The higher your sodium intake, the higher your chances of cancer.

6. Include Probiotics. Probiotics simply means ‘pro’ or for+ ‘biotics’ or life. These encourage the flourishing of good bacteria in the intestines. When people think about probiotics, they immediately think of supplements. I, for one, believe that we can derive better, more natural benefit of probiotics fresh from natural foods, such as….. The good bacteria in the intestines encourage proper digestion and stimulate the bowels to promote healthy bowel movement.

6. Cut out Smoking. Smoking not only increases the risk of lung cancer but also increases chances of other cancers such as colon cancer. Really, would you rather smoke now and suffer from colon cancer later – or would you rather stop smoking and live a healthy cancer-free life? If you are a smoker, you need to sit down and get your priorities right. Actively pursue ways you can overcome your cigarette addiction.

7. Avoid Alcohol Consumption. Persons suffering from alcoholism and those who take excessive alcohol have been found to have higher risk of colon cancer. Although some benefit has been found to be in taking red wine, the adverse long term effects of alcohol consumption outweigh the benefits. It is wise to stay away from alcohol in consideration of not only the health of your colon but also your liver and overall health.

8. Reduce the Intake of Animal Fat. Consumption of a diet high in saturated fat from animal sources has been clearly linked to the development of colon cancer. Too much animal fat also increases your chances of putting on excess weight and obesity, which indirectly increases your chances of cancer of the colon. Take non-vegetarian foods only once a day or once in 2 days. Opt for leaner meats rather than fattier ones.

9. Eat more Fruit. A study conducted by a team in the University of North Carolina implicated that people who ate more fruit and less meat had significantly lower chances of developing polyps, tumors and cancer in their colon. Fruit are rich in all kinds of beneficial vitamins, antioxidants, as well as fiber that can help promote the health of the colon.

10. The Power of Garlic. Garlic is a strong natural antibiotic, anti-oxidant and overall superfood that has immune system boosting capabilities. The naturally occurring compounds in garlic enhance the immune system’s ability to fight against cancer and prevent the formation of cancerous tumor. Adding garlic to your diet is easier than you think. Use a small amount of finely chopped garlic in any suitable dish you are cooking and get a spicy exotic flavor to your meals. Lightly sauted garlic in olive oil is also a great condiment to many dishes.

Remember the choices you make today will affect your medical bills tomorrow, not to mention the quality of your life.

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