March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, which is a good reminder for everyone over the age of 45 to get screened. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you may need to get screened earlier.
Everyone should schedule an annual physical exam with a primary care physician, who can best gauge your risk factors and determine the type of screening that is best for you. No one ever says, “oh boy, I get to have a colonoscopy next week!”, but doing so is a critical test that will help you and your doctor determine if further treatment is needed or give you the peace of mind that you are “in the clear.”
To prevent colon cancer, which is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, consider adopting these healthy lifestyle choices:
Maintain a healthy weight
Get plenty of exercise
Eat a balanced diet,
Limit your intake of processed meats, red meats, and sugary drinks
Quit smoking
Limit your alcohol intake
From all of us at IEP Urgent Care, we strongly encourage you to take a moment now and schedule an appointment with your physician and get screened.