Prevent Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths for men and women combined, but is one of the most curable types of GI cancers if caught early. Adults should begin screening at age 50; earlier if there is a family history.

Screenings and healthy lifestyle habits like these can prevent colorectal cancer:

• Be physically active

Thirty minutes per day is ideal but every little bit counts! If you are unable to get in thirty consecutive minutes try breaking it into more manageable ten minute chunks of time throughout the day.

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Excess body fat is linked to increased risk for colorectal cancer. Excess belly fat increases your risk regardless of weight.

• Eat more fiber

Diets high in fiber can reduce your risk for colorectal cancer. For every ten grams of fiber consumed, your colorectal cancer risk is reduced by 10%. Including a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds should help you meet this goal. For example: 1 cup of beans provides roughly ten grams of fiber!

• Cut back on red meat and avoid processed meats altogether

Evidence supports that excess consumption of red meat and processed meats can increase your risk for colorectal cancer. Try substituting poultry, fish and plant proteins several times a week.

• Limit alcohol consumption

Drinking alcohol increases colorectal cancer risk in men and may increase risk in women. Advice: If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start. If you do drink, limit your consumption to 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.

• More garlic please…

Diets that include lots of garlic may help prevent colorectal cancer. So, go ahead and add extra garlic! I have plenty of recipe ideas that feature garlic, too!

Get more information about colorectal cancer here.