Health Risk Assessment: Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is also known as Colorectal Cancer. It is the third most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the United States. This type of cancer affects the large intestine and rectum. It is one of the most common cancers, however it has one of the highest survival rates when detected early and treated properly. I am personally at a higher risk than an average woman my age because of my chronic condition that I was diagnosed with; Crohn’s Disease. Having constant inflammation and infection running through the digestive tract causes constant irritation and increases my risk for colon cancer.
Being at a higher risk doesn’t mean that I will develop cancer for sure, but I have to take more steps to decrease my risk factors. Risk factors for colon cancer can include your family medical history, however that factor usually only contributes to a small percent. The highest rating risk factor is your own behavior. Having a high-fat, low-fiber diet will greatly increase your risk for colon cancer. A high consumption of alcohol and smoking cigarettes will also increase your risk. Being able to find these risk factors and take steps to eliminate those factors will help fight the great fight to lower your risk for colon cancer. When you decrease your risk of colon cancer, you have done a great favor for your body.
Being able to make healthy lifestyle choices will help to decrease the risk factors for colon cancer and give you a chance at a healthy, cancer free life. Good examples of healthy lifestyle choices are endless, however some of the most effective and helpful are as follows: 1) Decreasing your consumption of red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork can help lower your risk of developing cancer cells. Cooked red meat produces certain chemicals that can cause cells to become cancerous. Eating more poultry and fish in place of red meat can lower your risk for not only colon cancer, but also heart disease and stroke. 2) Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake can also greatly decrease your risk of colon cancer. Eating more fruit will leave less room for highly saturated fatty snacks like chips, cookies, and candy. 3) Eat more vegetables on a day to day basis. Change out your afternoon chip session for a serving of baby carrots and peanut butter. Eating more vegetables not only can reduce your risk for colon cancer, but also decreases risk for heart disease and stroke. 4) It is controversial, but it is believed that by reducing