You know you have a family history of colon cancer, but you can't change your genes. So what can you do? Here are specific strategies to protect your health.
Your family has colon cancer:
- Get checked. If you have a family history of colon cancer, get your first screening at the age of 40 or 10 years before your youngest relative developed the disease. Your doctor will decide whether a colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test, or flexible sigmoidoscopy is best for you.
- Eat well. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains may reduce your risk of colon cancer by up to 40 percent. Limit your consumption of red and processed meats. Both are linked to high cancer rates.
- Stay active. Walking for one hour six days a week cut colon cancer-related deaths in half. Another study showed that people who exercised the most were 25 percent less likely to develop colon cancer in the first place.
For more information on family history and your health, see:
Will You Inherit Your Family’s Health?
How to Record Your Family’s Health History
In Your Genes: Breast Cancer
In Your Genes: Diabetes
In Your Genes: Heart Disease