6 Ways to Prevent Colorectal Cancer, Important to Know

Colorectal cancer or colon cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. Although the cause is unknown, there are several ways you can do to reduce your risk of developing this disease.

How to Prevent Colon and Rectum (Colorectal) Cancer

Colorectal cancer starts when there are polyps in the colon or rectum. These polyps usually exist in the colon or rectum for several years before developing into cancer.

This condition generally does not cause any symptoms in the early stages. Patients can feel the symptoms when the cancer has grown more severe.

The following are several ways you can do to prevent colon cancer, including:

1. Colorectal Cancer Screening

This examination can be done if you have no symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer. However, through this examination, it can be known whether or not precancerous polyps exist.

The sooner precancerous polyps are found, the sooner these polyps can be removed before they turn into cancer.

Screening can also detect cancer as early as possible so that treatment can have an effective effect.

Everyone aged 45 years and over is advised to undergo colon cancer screening regularly. Screening is done through several examinations, including stool examination, colonoscopy, and CT colonography.

2. Consumption of Fibrous Foods

Having a diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains can reduce the risk of colon cancer. The fiber content in these foods can help bowel movement and make defecation smoother.

In addition, you are also advised to reduce your consumption of red meat (such as beef or mutton) and highly processed meat (sausage, smoked meat, corned beef) because these foods contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Also Read: 10 Characteristics of Healthy Digestion and Working Well

3. Regular exercise

Exercise is well known for its health benefits. Being active can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. You are advised to regularly do aerobic exercise for 150 to 300 minutes per week.

Some of the physical activities you can do are swimming, running, cycling, walking, dancing, and playing golf. Choose activities that you like to make each exercise session enjoyable.

4. Maintain Ideal Body Weight

Being overweight can cause changes in body fat composition thereby increasing the risk of cancer. When the body is obese, the body will experience prolonged inflammation and higher levels of insulin.

Prolonged inflammation can cause changes or mutations in cell DNA so that the risk of cancer cell growth will also increase.

Therefore, you are advised to keep your weight within the normal range by following a balanced nutritional diet, exercising diligently, and managing stress.

Also Read: 11 Fermented Foods for Digestion & Disease Prevention

5. Don’t smoke

People who have smoked for a long time are more likely to get colorectal cancer because aCigarette smoke contains more than five thousand chemicals.

Harmful chemicals will enter the body through the lungs and affect the whole body. Toxic chemical compounds can damage DNA and make it difficult for other cells to repair damaged DNA.

This DNA damage can trigger the growth of cancer cells.Therefore, you are advised to stop smoking and avoid cigarette smoke so you don’t become a passive smoker.

6. Limit Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol can act as an irritant. Cells that are trying to repair damage from alcohol can undergo DNA changes that trigger the growth of cancer.

Alcohol consumption can also cause oxidative stress in cells, so that cells will produce many active molecules that contain oxygen. This condition can cause damage to cells and increase the risk of cancer.

Therefore, you are advised to limit alcohol consumption to one portion a day.

Now, those are some ways that can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Hopefully this information is useful, Healthy Friends.

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