Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine, also known as the colon. Although the condition typically affects older adults, it can happen at any age. It generally begins as small, non-cancerous cell clusters called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Generally, doctors recommend regular screening to identify any cancerous polyps. Here, we will look at some important signs and prevention tips for colon cancer.

Signs and prevention tips for colon cancer
Most common signs of the condition include:

• Change in bowel habits, including constipation and diarrhea
• Blood in the stool
• Persistent discomfort in the abdomen, such as pain, cramps, or gas
• Fatigue and weakness
• A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
• Unexplained weight loss

Prevention tips

• Get screened for colorectal cancer
  Regular screenings help in searching for the signs and symptoms of cancer before they develop. Colorectal screenings help in locating growths on the rectum or colon that might turn cancerous. Getting these screenings is important as they help identify cancer at early stages when the treatment is more likely to be successful. Ideally, a person should start with frequent screenings at the age of 45. You can still talk to your health practitioner for finding out the tests that may be right for you.
• Maintain a healthy body weight
  Being overweight increases the risk of cancer. According to research, almost 18 different types of cancer have been associated with obesity, including colon cancer. So, monitor your weight and indulge in physical exercise to stay in shape.
• Abstain from smoking
  Other than increasing the risk of serious ailments like stroke, heart disease, and emphysema, smoking is also known to cause cancer. Long-term smokers are more likely to develop colon cancer than non-smokers. You can take the help of your doctor to quit smoking completely.
• Be physically active
  Regular exercise helps maintain healthy body weight. It also helps in lowering the chance of many cancers, including colon cancer. Indulge in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. You can choose from cycling, dancing, cardio, or brisk walking.
• Drink in moderation
  Alcohol use is known to increase the risk of cancer, especially colon cancer. So, make sure to drink only in moderation. This implies up to one drink per day for women and up to two per day for men.
• Get enough calcium and vitamin D
  It is seen that an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D in the body can help protect against colon cancer. The recommended quantity for calcium is 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams per day, and vitamin D is 1,000 international units (IU) per day.

These are some of the important signs and prevention tips for colon cancer. You must consult your doctor immediately in case of any symptoms.