March is national colon cancer awareness month. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths. In the United States, our high fat diet plays a huge role in this. Fortunately, colonoscopys- provided by physicians who are called a gastroenterologist- are a great screening tool that can be used for early detection and prevention of cancer.
When should you get a colonoscopy? It is generally recommended that you should get your first one at age 50. However, if you have a family member who has or had colon cancer, you should be screened at 40, or 10 years before the age that their cancer was detected- which ever comes first.
Sadly, many are not getting this done - a test that although not the most fun, can prevent death from cancer.
Please share the word with family members to get their screening done if they have not done so!
For those who are young, remember a low fat and high fiber diet is a great way to keep your colon clean.
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