We did not know the exact cause of most colon cancers. Despite this, there are many methods to successfully avoid colon cancer. Some methods are lifestyle-related, while others are clinical. One such way is to get regularly tested for colon cancer.

Screening can help detect any polyp growth in the colon. If polyps grow unattended for several years they develop into cancer. Some people are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer. For example, you are extra susceptible to colon cancer if you are a smoker. Also, you are at a higher risk of developing it yourself if there is a history of colon cancer in your family. If you are at no known risk of developing colon cancer, specialists advise getting yourself screened from the time you turn 50 years old.

Apart from screening, you can also use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to avoid colon cancer. Research shows that using aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can regularly reduce your chances of developing polyps and colon cancer, even though non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not without side effects like bleeding due to stomach ulceration. The bleeding can be quite serious so doctors, do not advise NSAID use. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is also a good colon cancer preventive for women.

A good healthy diet and regular exercise are the most prescribed colon cancer preventives. Specialists recommend a high fruit and vegetable diet to prevent colon cancer. Apart from vegetables and fruits, specialists also recommend a daily intake of multi-vitamins that contain folic acid. A good diet has to be backed up with physical activity of about half an hour, at least 5 days a week, to lower the risk of colon cancer.

There are several uncontrollable factors that increase the risk of colon cancer, but specialists believe that regular screening and healthy living can help you avert colon cancer.