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Are you at risk for Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer can affect anyone - men and women alike - and your risk increases with age. Some people are at greater risk for the disease than others, though, such as:
- People with a personal or family history of benign colorectal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's Disease.
- People with a personal or family history of ovarian, endometrial, or breast cancer.
- People of African-American and Hispanic descent, who are often diagnosed at a later stage of the disease.
- Men and women age 50 or older.
What can be done to lower your risk of Colorectal Cancer?
The following 6 steps can help lower your risk of colorectal cancer:
- Get regular colorectal screening tests beginning at age 50. If you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, or a personal history of another cancer or inflammatory bowel disease,
talk to your healthcare provider about earlier screening tests.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains from breads, cereals, nuts, and beans.
- Eat a low-fat diet.
- Eat foods with folate such as green, leafy vegetables. A daily multi-vitamin containing .4mg of folic acid may also be helpful.
- If you use alcohol, drink only in moderation. Alcohol and tobacco in combination are linked to colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers. If you use tobacco, quit. If you don't use tobacco, don't start.
- Exercise for at least 20 minutes three to four days each week. Moderate exercise such as walking, gardening, or climbing may help reduce your risk.
Colorectal cancer is preventable, and easy to treat when detected early. Talk with your healthcare provider about what kind of screening test is right for you.
Information on colorectal cancer provided by the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation with the goal of generating widespread awareness about colorectal cancer, and encouraging people to learn more about how to reduce their risk for the disease through a healthy lifestyle and regular screening.
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