Colon Cancer can occur in this hard working organ and colon cancer affects about 7% of Americans. The good news is that this type of cancer can be cured if found early enough. Scientists have not been able to determine exactly how people get colon cancer, but they have identified some risk factors.

Age: While anyone can get colon cancer, it is more common in individuals over age 50.

Bowel Disease: If you have a history of bowel diseases such as Crohns, ulcerative colitis, polyps, you are at a higher risk of obtaining colon cancer.

Diet: a high fat diet and lack of exercise can affect your risk.

Ethnic Background: Jews from Eastern European descent have a high rate of colon cancer. African Americans and Hispanics have a higher death rate, which could be in part because of poor access to health care and colon cancer screening. Also family history plays a part. If you have a family member who has had colon cancer or polyps, you are in a higher risk category.

Smoking and Alcohol: Yep….neither are good for you and can add to your risk.

What are the Warning Signs of Colon Cancer?

1. Change in bowel habits
2. Feeling bloated, constipated or feeling like your bowel is not completely empty
3. Narrow stools
4. Excessive gas, bloating, fullness or cramps
5. Weight loss for no apparent reason
6. Feeling tired all the time
7. Vomiting

Make sure you get regular health care examinations by your physician, and see them immediately if you notice any of the above symptoms.

Cortisol is produced by our bodies to help regulate our immune system. Our immune system is the warrior of the body….always on the lookout for invaders such as infections and cancer cells. Too much cortisol in our systems can mess up the army, so to speak. The fighter cells on patrol can get overwhelmed when too much cortisol is released during times of stress or consistent lack of sleep. When the fighter cells are constantly stimulated, they cannot work effectively, and our body becomes prone to invaders.

Lack of sleep can also affect another hormone called melatonin. This substance is produced by our brains when we are sleeping. Some scientists believe that melatonin can also prevent damage to cells. Lack of sleep can lead to lack of melatonin, which can stress our body in a negative way.

So, what do you do if you are not sleeping? Managing stress is the first step. Eating good nutrious foods, drinking lots of healthy fluids such as water, and consistent exercise most days of the week are all ways to help keep stress under control. Having a good solid support group can help also. Some people enjoy being part of a formal cancer support group while others might get the same benefit from talking to a close friend or family member.

The attitude we carry with us all day can help us deal with stress also. Developing a practice of relaxation and deep breathing every day can definitely help our bodies maintain a better balance, which can lead to a better nights sleep.

Keep your bedroom a sanctuary for rest. Keep the temperature cool, the room dark and comfortable. Try to go to sleep at the same time every night.

Some people enjoy falling to sleep with a relaxing CD on.

Try this deep breathing exercise that Dr Weil recommends:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00521/three-breathing-exercises.html

The 4-7-8 (or Relaxing Breath) Exercise

Sit up in a comfortable chair with your back straight.

Put the tip of your tongue just behind your upper front teeth

Exhale all the air through your mouth to start.

Then close your mouth and inhale quietly to a count of four.

Hold your breath for a count of seven.
Exhale completely to a count of eight.

This completes one breath. Inhale again and repeat this cycle three more times.  The ratio of 4-7-8 is important.

This type of breathing is very soothing to your nervous system and helps promote relaxation. Practice this at least 2 times a day and see how much more relaxed you feel! You will then be helping the body even more to fight the evil colon cancer.

First of all…many people survive, and even thrive after receiving a colon cancer diagnosis.

It is important to learn as much as you can about your disease. Knowledge is power. Try to take the information in without judging it.  Know that your attitude is something you have control over. Develop a solid support system. This can be through family and friends. There are also numerous blogs and support groups you can join on-line. The American Cancer Society has support groups in many communities. This type of support is very powerful, as you share experiences with those who know what you are going with.

Start each day with some time of silence and mediation. Focus on what you are thankful for. Picture your body in perfect health. Some people meditate and visualize little Pac-Men or Pac-Women traveling thru out their body- eating all the cancer cells and escorting them out of their body. Picture a healing white light surrounding your body….providing healing and energy to you.

Laugh: Laughter is one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves. Having a good belly laugh provided oxygen to our bodies, decreases levels of stress hormones and helps shore up our immune system.  Even if you don’t really feel like laughing….you can fake it til you make it. Laughing out loud, even when life does not seem funny, can provide the same benefits as a real belly laugh.

Consider journaling. Spend a few minutes writing about your experiences. You can let it all out on paper. This way of expressing yourself can be a catharsis. It doesn’t matter what you write about- just write. It is a way to express your emotions in a very safe place. Writing can decrease stress, support our immune system and decrease pain. You can share your words with others if you feel drawn to do that, or keep it to yourself.

There are many things you do still have control over even in the midst of a colon cancer diagnosis. Surround yourself with this knowledge, and you will already be on the right path for healing.

Soluble Fiber: This type of fiber can dissolves in water. This valuable substance can lower your cholesterol and support heart health. Also, fiber can help your body deal with regulating blood sugar.

Insoluble Fiber: This is a biggie when it comes to colon health. This type of fiber adds bulk to our stool, so that the waste in our bowels moves through quicker. This decreases the time any toxins may be exposed to our intestines, and supports healthy bowel movements. And it stands to reason if we are exposed to less toxins, we will be decreasing our chances of developing problems, like cancer.

Another thing to consider…foods that have high levels of fiber tend to also be chock full of other nutrients. This is why many foods high in fiber are considered super foods.  When soluble fiber mixes with water in our system…a kind of scouring gel is formed, this helps trap cholesterol and other substances, and ushers them out of our system! So, not only can our risk of colon cancer be decreased, our risk of heart disease can decrease as well.  People who eat a lot of fiber on a regular basis seem to develop fewer polyps in their colon. Polyps can lead to colon cancer, so not having them is a good thing!  What are some great choices to add fiber to our diet?  Think:

Beans: A cup of beans can add anywhere from 13- 15 grams of fiber. This is almost ½ of the recommended amount for women!

Berries: all kinds! Raspberries pack a power punch of fiber…offering 8 grams per cup.

Fruits and Vegetables: All have a significant amount of fiber.

One word of caution…

Add fiber to your diet gradually. Figure out about how many grams you eat now, and then add 4 to 8 grams a week until you reach your goal. This will give you body time to adjust to a higher fiber intake.

Let’s talk about the risk factors we cannot control.

Age: The years pass no matter what we do! As we get older, our bodies have been exposed to more toxins, and the wear and tear on our bodies can increase our risk Colon Cancer is found in older adults over 50 more often than in younger people, but like we stated before, no one is immune.

Gender: women have a higher risk of developing Colon Cancer.

Polyps: have you scheduled that colonoscopy yet? The colonoscopy is an examination of part of our bowel where polyp’s can form. Having polyps is considered a risk factor. Early detection through the screenings recommended by your Dr. can help you avoid cancer later.

Personal history: looking at how your general health is can sway the colon cancer pendulum. Having a prior experience with other types of cancer will increase your risk of colon cancer. Also, your family history plays an important role here. If someone in your immediate family had colon cancer, your risk increases as well.

Diet- Love those double whoppers, French fries and chocolate shakes? Well, eating a diet high in fat and low in fiber will add to your risk.

Perhaps you are a little overwhelmed by the things we have no control over. Let’s consider the things we can control.

Diet: Lose the Fat! Add lots of fiber to your diet, and you are taking a very positive step towards overall colon health.

Exercise: get that body moving!  Losing extra weight and toning our muscles is like building a fortress against the big C.

Don’t Smoke! Tobacco is chock-full of nasty chemicals. Do you really want to be inhaling that crap into your lungs and body system?

Don’t drink too much alcohol!  While a glass of red wine is good for you, a bottle of wine is not. Practice moderation.

Decrease Stress: Learning to cope with stress in our lives is a fantastic way to shore up our immune system. Simple things like developing an attitude of gratitude, meditation, and even spending a few minutes each day in quiet contemplation can keep a harmonious life force around us.

Taking control over the things we can will help us be better balanced, and better equipped to keep our body healthy, and most importantly free from colon cancer.