Are You At Risk for Colon Cancer? Cerritos CareMore Offers Prevention Tips

Of the types of cancer that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the country. And according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers.

Although the number of new colorectal cancer cases and the number of deaths from colorectal cancer are both gradually decreasing each year, an estimated 22 million people are still not up to date with colorectal cancer screening.

“Family history, lifestyle, and age are risk factors for developing colorectal cancer,” said Dr. Jeffrey Tipton of Cerritos-based  Health Plan.

Dr. Tipton offers the following tips to help prevent colorectal cancer:

• Testing stool for occult blood annually; flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; or a colonoscopy every 10 years can detect pre-cancerous polyps. Removing polyps can prevent most colon cancers.
• Know your family history. If colorectal cancer runs in your family, you may need to be tested earlier and more often.
• Avoid cigarettes and other tobacco products.
• Get plenty of exercise. Even small amounts of exercise on a regular basis can be helpful.
• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods.

“Like all cancers, colorectal cancer is a disease that can be more efficiently treated if detected early,” adds Dr. Tipton. “Therefore, prevention through education and screening becomes paramount in keeping our patients healthy.”

To learn more about CareMore Health Plan please visit www.caremore.com or (800) 499-2793.

For more information on colorectal cancer, including a guide and commonly asked questions, click here.