Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - Carrying extra weight around your middle, as opposed to the hips or thighs may increase your risk of colon cancer. Men in particular have this risk, although women are not excluded. If you have a high BMI - body mass index - you are at an increased level of risk.

BMI is a measure of someone's weight in relation to height. How do you calculate your own personal BMI? Multiply your weight in pounds X 703 ( lbs X 703). Then divide by the square of your height in inches (inches X inches).

For example a women weighing 130lbs who is 5 feet five inches tall would have a BMI of 22 which is in the "normal" range:

Weight: 130 X 703 = 91,390

Height: 65 X 65 = 4225

BMI 21.6

A diet high in fat will not only contribute to obesity and heart disease, it may also increase your BMI and put you at risk for colon cancer as well. A low fat diet high in fiber is your best choice for optimal health. Women should aim for a diet of at least 21 to 25 grams of fiber a day, while men should try to eat 30 to 38 grams of fiber daily. What to eat to get that fiber? Dietary fiber - found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

Why is fiber so essential? Unlike other food we consume like fats (oils and nuts), proteins (meat, fish, poultry) or carbohydrates (bread, pasta, sweets) - which your body breaks down and absorbs - fiber isn't digested by your body. Fiber is the part of plant foods that the body can't digest or absorb, it is also called "roughage".

Excellent fiber choices to enhance your diet include:

Using a colon cleansing supplement every few months will help remove the excess waste in the colon that your low-fiber diet may be failing to eliminate. Try an all natural supplement like Co-Clean.

Jennifer Hughs is the pen name for the health and lifestyles writer who is compensated by Value Marketing, Inc. d/b/a Lab88. The author has 20+ years in the cosmetic and health industries and has worked with leading beauty and health publications.

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