Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men and women combined in the United States alone. While many of the risk factors associated with colorectal cancer cannot be controlled, there are many lifestyle-related risk factors linked to colorectal cancer that can.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), more than half of all colorectal cancers are linked to risk factors that can be changed such as not being physically active, smoking, or excessive alcohol use. Read more about the lifestyle habits associated with colorectal cancer risk below including the steps you can take to make a change.
Can anything be done to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer?
Like many forms of cancer, several factors are associated with colorectal cancer that simply can’t be controlled. This includes age, family history, certain medical conditions, and race or ethnicity. In saying that, there are risk factors you can change, and certain lifestyle habits are linked to colorectal cancer risk such as:
- Diet
- Inactivity
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
Consider these 5 tips to protect your health.
#1 Increase your intake of the good stuff!
It can be helpful to limit your intake of red and processed meats - both of which have a correlation with raising colorectal cancer risk. Additionally following a diet with a good balance of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is good for your general health
#2 Get out and get active
Regular physical activity is linked to a reduced risk of developing colon cancer (it’s also without a doubt an important part of keeping your body and mind healthy.)
#3 If you’re a smoker, it’s time to quit
Smokers are more likely to develop colorectal cancer and die from the disease than those who don’t smoke. If you want to take the step towards quitting, consider these tips to get you started:
- Seek support from those around you
- Find your triggers and avoid them
- Keep busy!
#4 Keep alcohol to a minimum
Colorectal cancer has been linked to moderate to heavy alcohol use.If you do drink alcohol, it’s best to keep it to no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
#5 Screen regularly
Consider regularly screening if you’re aged 45 or over, have a family history of colorectal cancer, or have an inflammatory bowel disease. Talk to your healthcare provider about the most suitable screening tests for you and how often these tests should be performed. With regular screening, cancer may be found at an earlier stage when it can be easier to treat, and potential cancerous polyps can be spotted and removed before they progress.
If you want to take action now and start protecting your health, the LetsGetChecked FIT screening test is a great first step in your colorectal cancer screening journey.
Here’s how it works
- Order your kit online
- Collect your sample from home and return it the same day using the prepaid shipping label
- Your sample will be sent to our lab for full analysis - these are the same labs used by primary care providers and hospitals
- Easy-to-understand results will be available on your secure online account within 2-5 days of our lab receiving your sample
- Our clinical team will be available to speak with you about your results and provide guidance on the next steps
- It’s important to share all results with your doctor and talk to them about the most suitable screening tests for you
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