March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month!

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. It’s expected to cause about 51,020 deaths during 2019.

But…the death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping in both men and women for several decades. Why? More people are getting screened, so the polyps that can develop into cancer are found and removed, and if already cancerous they are being found earlier when the disease is easiest to treat. Also, treatment methods have improved so that there are now more than 1 million colorectal cancer survivors in the U.S.

Still, one of the keys to making even greater progress is the dual role of prevention and early detection.

Click on the link above — Your Own Health — to see the easy smart steps you can take to reduce your risk for this and other cancers.

Here are few general cancer prevention tips:

Watch what you eat and drink! Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals, breads, rice, pasta and beans. Maintain a healthy weight. If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so moderately. And, of course, don’t smoke!

Be physically active. Exercise! Be moderately active for 30 minutes a day.

Protect your skin. To reduce the risk of skin cancer, use sunscreen all year round, wear protective clothing and hats. When outside avoid too much intense direct sunlight.

Prevention. It’s the first step. Take it![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” custom_src=”https://nationalcancercenter.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/colon-cancer-awareness.jpg”][/vc_column][/vc_row]