Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for the number of colorectal cancer cases in the US for 2014, 96,830 were new cases of colon cancer and 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer.
Here are four simple truths on how to help avoid this cancer:
1. Eat more fiber. Fiber helps for maintaining regular bowel movements, lowers your cholesterol, stabilizes your blood sugar, and minimizes problems with pouches forming along your intestinal tract.
2. Only 3% of the American population eats its daily recommended value of fiber, 30g. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, most adults in the United States get about 15 grams of fiber a day. The lack of fiber is directly correlates to the increase in colorectal cancer.
3. Foods extremely rich in fiber that are recommended daily include:
– Kale, 1.3g per 32 calories;
– Oats, roughly 5g per serving;
– Beans (kidney, black or pinto), 8g per half cup;
– Cooked lentils, 5g per half cup;
– Quinoa, 5g per cup;
– All fruits and vegetables are recommended
4. A survey from the National Fiber Council showed that 62 percent of people mistakenly believed that meat is a source of fiber—but meat contains no fiber.
