You have holidays, appointments, birthdays, and deadlines marked on your calendar. How about a colon cancer screening? Screening for colon cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, is recommended if you’re 50 or older, with earlier assessments if you have inflammatory bowel disease or a concerning family history. Like many cancers, colon cancer is often “invisible” (a.k.a. asymptomatic, but visible to a scope!) in its early stages. That’s why screening tests, such as colonoscopies, to detect polyps or cancer, are so important. When caught early, colon cancer is not only treatable, it’s beatable. The five-year survival rate for people with stage 1 colon cancer is more than 90 percent. Ask your doctor about risk factors and schedule your procedure, if due. In the meantime, take care of your health with these everyday habits that protect against colon cancer: Maintain a healthy waist (less than 35 inches for women, less than 39 for men measured at the belly button with you sucking in), avoid tobacco, exercise regularly, keep alcohol intake moderate, and eat plenty of fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Limit red and processed meats. Addressing those “usual suspects” will help prevent a host of other chronic illnesses, too — a multitasker’s dream come true!
” Colon cancer screening is probably one of the most underused ways to save one’s life from cancer that exists.” Michael Thun