Colon cancer prevention: What you can do

Colon cancer is a common and serious disease around the world. But it also is one of the most preventable cancers. The tools for prevention are widely available.

usually begins as small clumps of cells called polyps that form in the section of the large intestine called the colon. starts as a growth of cells in the last several inches of the large intestine, called the rectum. Cancer inside the colon and cancer inside the rectum are often referred to together as colorectal cancer.

Like other cancers, colon cancer starts when certain cells — in this case, in a section of the large intestine — get changes in their DNA. These changes tell the cells to grow faster than usual. The cells also live longer than they should. As the cells change and grow, they can turn into cancer. A

might grow into a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue.

What triggers this process is not clear. But certain factors make it more likely to happen. You may be at higher risk if you have:

• A personal history of colon cancer or certain types of polyps.
• A family history of colon cancer or advanced polyps, especially in a first-degree relative such as a parent, child or sibling.
• Inflammatory bowel disease
  , such as
  ulcerative colitis
  or
  Crohn's disease
  .
• An inherited condition that raises colon cancer risk, such as
  Lynch syndrome
  or
  familial adenomatous polyposis
  .

Preventing cancer is difficult because so many factors are at play in its development, from genes to environment.

What makes colon cancer one of the most preventable cancers is the ability to not only find early signs of cancer but also remove them at the same time. Recommended screening tests such as

can find cancer early, when it's easier to treat. Colonoscopy also can remove precancerous polyps before cancer starts.

You also may be able to lower your colon cancer risk over time through your daily habits. This includes healthy eating patterns, regular physical activity and other lifestyle choices.

Here's what you can do to best manage your risk of colon cancer.

Screening is the most effective way to prevent colon cancer. Unlike many other cancers, colon cancer often starts as a precancerous polyp that can be found and removed right away through a scope during screening. Removing these polyps lowers the chance that cancer will develop later.

Early colon cancer and precancerous polyps usually do not cause symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, the disease may already be more advanced and harder to treat. Screening looks for hidden disease before it causes symptoms, which is why it is recommended even for people who feel healthy.

Experts advise that most adults at average risk begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Several

are available, including stool-based tests and exams that look directly at the colon. Each test has different benefits, risks and testing schedules.

A commonly prescribed schedule for people at average risk is a colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 45. A colonoscopy lets your healthcare team look directly into your colon. It is considered the gold standard because it is the most sensitive test for colon cancer. And it has the added benefit of allowing your healthcare professional to remove precancerous polyps during the exam.

There also are less invasive screening tests. The best test is the one you will do and repeat as recommended.

In between recommended screenings, you can take steps to reduce your risk of colon cancer over time. No lifestyle change can fully prevent colon cancer, but healthy choices may help lower your risk and support overall health. And even if you get colon cancer, a foundation of good health can increase your chances of successful treatment and recovery.

The following steps, along with regular screening, may help lower your risk of colon cancer.

• Stay physically active. Regular physical activity is linked to a lower risk of colon cancer. Activity helps regulate body weight, insulin levels and inflammation, all of which are linked to cancer risk. Both exercise and everyday movement, such as walking, can help.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Having excess body weight is associated with a higher risk of colon cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced eating and regular physical activity may help lessen risk
• Don't smoke. Long-term cigarette smoking increases the risk of colon cancer and many other cancers. Quitting smoking can lower cancer risk over time and has many other health benefits.
• Limit alcohol. Moderate to heavy alcohol use is linked to a higher risk of colon cancer. Limiting alcohol or avoiding it altogether may help reduce risk.
• Eat a healthy diet. Eating patterns that emphasize fruits, vegetables and whole foods are generally associated with better health and fewer cancers. These foods are rich in fiber and antioxidants. Fiber can help move waste quickly out of the gut. It also promotes gut health and builds up levels of bacteria that help the body. Antioxidants protect cells from DNA damage.
• Get enough calcium. There's some evidence that getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet, primarily from dairy products, may lower your risk of colon cancer. Dietary calcium may play a role in the growth and lifespan of both healthy cells and precancerous cells. The same does not seem to be true for calcium and vitamin D supplements though. Research on individual nutrients and supplements is mixed.
• Limit red and processed meats. Diets high in red meat, especially charred red meat, or processed meats have been linked to a higher risk of colon cancer in some studies. Limiting these meats and choosing a variety of other protein sources may help lower risk.
• Talk with your healthcare team. Some studies suggest that certain medicines may lower colon cancer risk in certain people. Because the benefits and risks of these remedies vary, they are not recommended solely to prevent colon cancer. Talk with a healthcare professional first to see if any of these might be right for you.

Some people have a higher risk of colon cancer than others. If you are at higher risk, screening may need to start earlier, happen more often or use specific tests. A healthcare professional can help you create a screening plan based on your personal risk.

People at higher risk may benefit from earlier or more frequent colonoscopy rather than stool-based tests. In some cases, genetic counseling or testing may be recommended to better understand risk and guide screening decisions.

Even for people at higher risk, lifestyle choices still matter. Staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol and eating a healthy diet can support overall health. However, these steps do not replace the need for personalized screening and follow-up care.

Talk with your healthcare team about your colon cancer risk and the screening plan that's right for you. This is especially important if you are age 45 or older, have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, or have symptoms such as ongoing changes in bowel habits or bleeding that you can't explain.

Your healthcare team can help you understand your screening options, decide when to start screening and how often to repeat it, and discuss whether you may need earlier or more frequent testing based on your personal or family history.

They also can help you find ways to improve your health through healthy choices that fit your lifestyle. They also can suggest healthy eating and exercise choices that suit your daily life.