Colon cancer remains one of the more common forms of cancer in spite of our increased
awareness of it and the relatively simple steps that we can take to reduce its
chances of occurring. Most of the steps you can take to avoid colon cancer are
simple, common sense ones that increase your overall health and well-being and
should be part of everyone's life.
Everyone over fifty should schedule a colon cancer screening and follow
through with it. This easy exam is the best way to find
the polyps that one in four people over age fifty have and treat them.
If you have any symptoms of colon cancer such as bloody stools, cramping, unexplained
weight loss or thin stools, a visit to an experienced gastroenterologist should
be taken at once. While the symptoms may result from many different conditions,
they can also appear if colon cancer is present and has existed for a length of
time.
|
|
A balanced diet and an active lifestyle can help you maintain a healthy weight,
and these are excellent ways to reduce the chances of contracting colon cancer.
High fiber diets are much better than those laden with fat and cholesterol, and
colon cancer is more likely to appear among the obese, especially obese men. Eating
fire-charred foods, such as those barbecued, increase the chances of colon
cancer. |
Your family's medical history can help determine the likelihood of your developing
colon cancer. There are genetic predispositions for colon cancer that should be
considered, and if anyone in your family has had a history of colon cancer, polyps,
or other cancers, you should discuss this with your doctor.
Outside factors that can increase the possibility of colon cancer include smoking
and exposure to radiation. If you smoke, make plans now to quit and begin feeling
better. If your job or other medical conditions subject you to radiation that
exceeds our normal background amounts, you may wish to discuss this with your
doctor. It may be possible to avoid some radiation sources, such as barium enemas,
in favor of procedures such as a colonoscopy.
Dr. Shamsi has developed a diet that meets the guidelines for a proper diet, and
he is happy to share it with you. Please contact our offices today to schedule
a colon cancer screening and replace your fears with knowledge you can act on.
back to the top
|