Do You Need a Colonoscopy to Prevent Colon Cancer?

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - Fewer and fewer people are dying from colon cancer, it used to be a big killer, but today thanks to early screening doctors are catching it in time and preventing polyps from becoming cancerous. It has been recommended that when you turn 45 to 50 years old you should go in for screening. If they don't find any polyps, you are probably good for another 10 years. There are some people who go in every five years, but now it appears that is too often, and perhaps not needed.

This should be a sign of relief because no one really wants to go in to get a colonoscopy. You can understand why without me explain it here in this article. So does that mean colon cancer is not as serious as it once was? Oh no, it's still very serious, it's just that if it's caught early it can be prevented or treated without it becoming to life-threatening. It used to be this type of cancer was almost a death sentence, it's not that way anymore.

There was an interesting article recently in the Wall Street Journal on May 10, 2011 titled "New Study Questions Colonoscopy Frequency" by Katherine Hobson and posted onto the "Best of Health Blog" section. The article stated that researchers discovered that the over use of these procedures, and that if no polyps are found there is really no need to do another colonoscopy for 10-years.

The research seems to coincide with Medicare cuts on reimbursements, and on their current policies. Likewise, colonoscopies are not exactly the most happiest of things you can do at a doctor's office or hospital if you smell what I mean. Okay so, apparently with these results you should be able to go in and get a colonoscopy and if nothing is found and everything looks good (correct), you won't need to go in again for about 10 years or more.

The American Cancer Society has confirmed these reports and research in its own data. There are some other things you should probably know that you can find out online quite easily. There are certain types of vegetables and foods with antioxidants that you can eat to help further reduce your risk of getting colon cancer.

Therefore you should, why take any risks? Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it. If you run across to anymore interesting research on this topic I would please ask that you shoot me an e-mail and point me to the study.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,100 articles was a lot of work - because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off...

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Take Steps To Prevent Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - Colon Cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and among the top contributors of cancer-related death. But it is also one of the more treatable and preventable cancers. Since March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, it is a good time to learn about prevention. It's important to know the facts as well as the proactive steps that you can take to protect yourself and reduce your risk factors.

Are you at Risk?

The statistics and estimates are initially frightening. In 2011, it is estimated that 141,000 people will be diagnosed with colon-colorectal cancer and approximately 50,000 people will die from the disease. However, according to an America Cancer Society report more than half of these deaths could be prevented by screening. In addition, studies suggest that a healthy diet is vital in reducing colon cancer risk.

One of the common misconceptions is that only individuals with a family history of colon-colorectal cancer need to be concerned. In fact, statistics show that only 1 in 5 people who are diagnosed with colon-colorectal cancer have a family history; Which means that most people diagnosed with this cancer have no genetic connection to the disease.

Diet and Exercise

It is well known that exercise, diet, nutrition and other lifestyle factors are connected to cancer prevention. What is interesting is that out of all the cancers, colon-colorectal cancer is most impacted by food choices, exercise habits and your weight.

Regular colorectal screening is extremely important in preventing this cancer. Polyps can be identified in their early stage and removed before they can develop into cancer. In addition, you can really play a big role in preventing this cancer by choosing the right foods, getting rid of the wrong ones and making sure that there is plenty of physical activity in your life.

Maintain Healthy Changes

Many of us find it challenging to make long-lasting lifestyle changes. We read about cancer or some other disease, get scared or concerned and vow to make changes in our lives. Some of us get overwhelmed with trying to figure out what to eat and what to do so we never even get started. Many others start to make changes but several weeks later, when the fear motivation dissipates, we return to our original habits.

Using a Health Coach can often make a huge difference. A Health Coach not only provides education, support and guidance but also helps you implement an individualized program to address your specific goals. The approach is to make incremental lifestyle changes in a supported, energized and motivated environment so that you are much more likely to stick with it for the long haul. Studies show that individuals who work with health coaches are more likely to make healthy lifestyle changes. Eating healthier, weight loss and using nutrition to treat disease are some of the goals that individuals have when they work with a Health Coach.

Tips for Reducing Your Risk

Below are several tips for reducing your risk for colon-colorectal cancer.

Colon Cancer Prevention Tips

1. Schedule regular colorectal screenings
2. Include lots of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower in your diet as well as colorful fruits and whole grains
3. Eat calcium rich foods such as leafy green vegetables
4. Limit your intake of processed meats or red meat
5. Take steps to maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight increases your risk for colon cander so you should take active steps to start a weight loss program.
6. Some studies suggest that vitamin D can help reduce cancer risk yet most people are Vitamin D deficient. Check your vitamin D levels (simple blood test) and consider taking supplements.
7. Exercise regularly
8. Avoid smoking and avoid drinking too much alcohol

For more information or to arrange a free consultation, please feel free to contact me at jenn@healthylifehealthcoach.com.

Jennifer Sandberg, HC

Jennifer is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach. She focuses on losing weight, finding nutritious foods that fit your life, and stress relief through small easy changes to your diet and daily activities. To learn more about how to get started on the road to a healthier you, please visit http://www.healthylifehealthcoach.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/healthylifehealthcoach

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How to Prevent Colon Cancer Naturally

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - Cancer in any form is dreadful. Not only because the word itself terrorizes our mind, the visuals we recall are too scary. Once it sets in, it is very difficult to get rid of it in totality and one has to surrender to whatever treatment methods are available. Injuries to nearby organs, side-effects, trauma for the body and mind as a whole plus social stigma are some realities that stay with the victim for the rest of his/her life.

I can suggest three mantras: One, prevention is better than cure. Two, either you change your lifestyle, or make some necessary additions to counter the cancer threat. Three, try alternative medicines or therapies.

WHY GIVE OPTION ON LIFESTYLE?

If you belong to the western world, (as per Wikipedia) chances are that you are more susceptible of catching this type of cancer. But you cannot move to the other part of the world for only this reason. Moreover, how would you know for sure that you could be a victim? Only for this reason I mentioned that either you change your lifestyle or...

IS CHANGING LIFESTYLE EASY?

Definitely not. We are all part of a society and have our stated norms of behavior, work culture, food (solids & liquids) consumption pattern, ways of recreation are all set. To some extent we can change our habits like avoiding late nights, getting full sleep, exercising etc. But today's expenses need extra work both physically and mentally. Somewhere we have to compromise which we cannot compensate with something beneficial.

A fully nourishing lunch induces sleep so some people either don't have proper lunch, or combine it with coffee and both are harmful. Work pressure forces to go either for smoking, extra cups of coffee, or for over the counter pills as they are easily accessible. Even these have harmful after-effects.

WHAT COULD BE DONE HERE?

Remember Edison, who invented the Electric Bulb? He slept for just four hours and always got up refreshed. Develop a habit of sleeping less. Easier said than done, may be your answer. To counter I present two incidents.

1. I was working on a project and could not sleep for 3 days. The fourth evening, somehow I had to accompany my boss to an overnight musical concert. When we departed, I was totally refreshed and went back to office.

2. Many of my hostel friends developed the habit of sleeping at three in the morning to get up by seven. The same pattern holds good twenty years after passing out.

It is all in the mind. You can train it the way you want. Think about the soldiers at war zone or the police personnel who hardly get time to sleep. When these people can manage why can't you? Try meditation, even a 30-minute trance is enough to compensate for a full night's sleep.

HELP YOUR BOWEL DISCHARGE EASILY.

The most common cause for rectal/colon/anus cancer is constipation. Piles is the first reaction. Eat veggies or fruits that have roughage e.g. Carrot, Radish, Lettuce. Those veggies that do not dissolve in full. Eat fruits whole, as the skin acts as roughage. If not allergic to Banana, it acts as a good bowel cleaner.

Drink plenty of plain water (not disguised as beer or canned juices). Avoid the lift when possible.

Get the wonder product "Isabgol" which is neither a fruit nor vegetable nor a medicine. It is the husk of the Psyllium plant seed. This husk absorbs water, becomes slippery and aids bowel to discharge without pressure. You can consume this either with water, curd, fruit juice or sprinkle liberal amounts in any dish as it is tasteless.

TRY ALTERNATE THERAPIES

No system of medicine is foolproof. Doctors do not admit the fallacies. For example, Homoeopathy has no medicine for high blood pressure but works wonders for skin diseases. Colitis, skin ulcers, burns & wounds are treated in no time. It has no side-effects as well. Ready made mixtures are available over the counter for hundreds of diseases that you can try.

As always, there are no shortcuts to success. Trial and error should be your mantra. Find out what suits your body, your taste and let your mind guide you. After all if you catch the dreaded disease, your mind suffers the most.

Walk with nature and you remain safe. Even if you lose track, nature is there to help you out. Do not rely totally on Allopathy, try out other branches as well. Spirituality is one of them. Be selfish, for your body's sake. Prevent accidents, injury and trauma. Improve your life. Show others how to. Contribute something to humanity.

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