TREATABLE, BEATABLE AND PREVENTABLE
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Blog.
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and accordingly, today we’ll be discussing this cancer, the risks, and the ways we can protect ourselves.
It’s so important to be informed because colon cancer is the third most common cancer among women and the fourth among men around the world. In fact, I am one of these statistics as this cancer is one of the three that I personally have fought and survived.
Many of you know that when I was diagnosed, I was an athletic, slim, healthy vegetarian who was half the age of the typical colon cancer patient. The diagnosis came as a complete surprise to me – and my doctor! And, surprise is the last thing anyone wants to experience when it comes to cancer.
The good news is that we don’t have to be surprised. The available information combined with the proper screening procedures go a long way in protecting us from colon cancer. In fact, this cancer is actually preventable when we use our knowledge and put the available information in practice. So, let’s review a few tips and topics to help keep us safe from this disease.
DIET PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE
We need to keep our digestive tract in good working order. Drinking plenty of water will help us stay hydrated and help flush our system of toxins and waste. Fruits and veggies provide fiber to promote regularity. Much produce also contains an abundance of antioxidants, which help fight cancer cells and free radicals in our bodies. In addition, lean proteins like fish and chicken will add less fat to our diet and keep our digestive tract running smoothly.
AGE IS A FACTOR
Typically, this cancer is found in older individuals, with an average age of around sixty or seventy. It’s not common in individuals under fifty unless there is a family history of the disease as I’ve illustrated in my personal story. If this is the case, colon cancer can develop much earlier — even in one’s twenties or thirties.
KNOW FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY
Colon cancer is greatly influenced by heredity. If we have a first-degree relative, which is a parent, sibling or child who has had colon cancer, our risk for developing the disease greatly increases. This was the situation in my case. I was unaware that two maternal uncles had been diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime. My mother also had a history of colon polyps, which can indicate a risk for colon cancer. Knowing your family history can help you determine your personal risk so that you can take the proper precautions.
DON’T FORGET TO EXERCISE
When we move, all our internal organs are gently massaged. When the intestinal tract is massaged — by walking, stretching, bicycling or any other movement — it is encouraged to work properly. Material is gently “pushed along” the tract, which allows us to eliminate harmful bacteria and waste that otherwise may contribute to a “breeding ground” for illness, disease and cancer cells.
And now for some information on a few life-saving screening procedures.
THE COLONOSCOPY
The most common and effective screening procedure for colon cancer is the colonoscopy. This procedure is recommended for individuals who are fifty years of age. They are usually repeated every five years or so. However, if colon cancer runs in your family and your risk is greater, then screening should begin earlier and be repeated more often. Always check with your doctor to determine a screening schedule that is right for you. A colonoscopy not only detects cancer, it also removes polyps before they become cancerous. It is in this remarkable way that colon cancer can actually be prevented.
DIY COLON CANCER TESTING
Kits that we can use at home to test for colon cancer also are available and have become very popular. They are considered to be quite accurate and easy to use. One simply spends a little time on the toilet, collects a small sample of stool and mails it to the lab. Yet, if one is like me and has a high risk for the disease, one should by-pass the DIY kits and always see one’s doctor instead.
It may sound strange, but a clean colon is a happy and healthy colon. Honor COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH by taking care of yourself. Know your Risks. Get Screened. Take Action. And be Prepared, so you’ll never be Surprised.
Thanks again for joining me everyone. Until next time, stay safe, stay in GOOD HEALTH and . . .
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
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