Colon cancer is one of the most diagnosed forms of cancer in the United States. Although colon cancer has the highest incidence in people with ages over 50, the disease can also be developed by young adults and even children. Despite the fact that it can occur in both sexes, colon cancer predominantly affects the male gender. In most cases, colon cancer is a life-threatening disease that requires immediate treatment.

According to the factors that lead to the development of colon cancer, there are two main types of the disease: hereditary colon cancer, which occurs due to genetically inherited physiological abnormalities of the large bowel; and acquired (sporadic) colon cancer, which occurs due to inappropriate diet and unhealthy lifestyle.

Oncologists claim that acquired colon cancers have an unpredictable pattern of progression, usually evolving latently. Unlike hereditary colon cancer, acquired colon cancer can be very difficult to diagnose. The presence of acquired colon cancer in patients is usually discovered long after the disease becomes serious, rendering medical treatments and therapies ineffective in overcoming it.

While most people with underlying hereditary predispositions to colon cancer can’t effectively prevent the occurrence of the disease, healthy people can avoid colon cancer by following a proper diet and by making lifestyle improvements. Research results indicate that the leading cause of acquired colon cancer among the American population is obesity, followed by physical inactivity and the excessive intake of red meat and other meat products that are rich in saturated fats. Doctors claim that by reducing the consumption of processed meat and by increasing the intake of fiber-rich foods, one would be able to decrease the chances of developing sporadic colon cancer or colorectal cancer by up to 50 percent. Doctors also inform that people who exercise regularly and maintain a normal body weight are very unlikely to develop colon cancer.

In order to minimize the risk of developing colon cancer, one should reduce the intake of saturated fats, proteins and simple carbohydrates (foods containing sugar), in favor of unsaturated fats, complex carbohydrates and fiber-rich foods (fresh fruits and vegetables). Doctors state that margarines, cooking oil and processed foods considerably add to the risks of colon cancer and thus they should be avoided from any diet.

To completely eliminate meat products from one’s diet can be very frustrating. However, this is rarely necessary. In small amounts, properly cooked meat products don’t increase the chances of developing colon cancer. A healthy diet can include low-fat meats, as long as they are prepared through other methods rather than frying. Instead of frying the meat, consider broiling, grilling, steaming or roasting it. This way, you will be able to eliminate unhealthy fat, the substance that greatly contributes to the development of colon cancer.