Want to cut your risk of colon cancer?

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Story Published: Jan 31, 2007 at 9:05 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 31, 2007 at 9:05 AM PDT

By Herb Weisbaum

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Want to cut your risk of colon cancer? Then start taking better care of yourself.

"Many scientists believe that a combination of weight control, healthy diet, physical activity could reduce the risk of colon cancer by more than half," says Dr. Anne McTiernan, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

So what kind of modifications do we need to make to our diet?

"So we're talking about increasing your intake of vegetables and fruit, and decreasing your intake of foods that are very high in fat and very high in sugar," McTiernan said. "So that means reducing deserts, reducing soda pop that's high in sugar, and if you're drinking juice, have small quantities of it or cut it with extra water."

Men: want to know something else that will reduce your risk of colon cancer? Get off your butt and start exercising.

A study conducted by Dr. McTiernan found that that men who got regular exercise -- 6 days a week for a year -- had a reduced risk for getting polyps and colon cancer.

"It was moderate activity, so people did not have to become athletes, walking or doing gym activity works just fine."

For More Information:

Exercise significantly reduces markers of increased colon-cancer risk in men

Want to take part in a new exercise/nutrition study at the Hutch?

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