If you are concerned about contracting colon cancer, then there are a number of steps you can take to reduce the risk. Diet and exercise play a huge role in prevention of colon cancer and other health related problems. It is no secret that the typical diet today can be more damaging to our bodies than it is helpful. Fast food and other high fat foods contain very little of the necessary nutrients that our bodies need to function at top performance.

Foods that are high in fat and low on fiber play havoc on your digestive system. When your digestive system is not able to function properly, it is unable to rid your body of toxic wastes. As these toxic wastes accumulate in your body, they will begin to do damage.

The best way to keep your digestive system functioning at maximum performance is to eat the right foods. Eating healthy, high fiber foods can reduce your risk of getting colon cancer. A healthy diet will also make you feel better and give you more energy and it will help you keep your weight under control.

Best Foods to Prevent Colon Cancer

• Fruits and vegetables. The best are the ones that contain anti-oxidant properties. Red, yellow, green and orange colored fruits and vegetables are reported to have a large amount of cancer fighting anti -oxidants. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage have been reported to reduce the risk of colon cancer also.
• Fiber. Foods high in fiber can keep you from developing constipation. The fiber builds bulk in your bowel which can contribute to regular bowel movements and good colon cleansing.
• Calcium. This common mineral is important for a multitude of the body's chemical processes. In fact, in animal studies a lack of calcium has been proven to lead to excessive cell growth in the colon.
• Lean meats. There have been studies performed that have proven a high concentration of fat in the diet can be responsible for the development of certain types of cancer. Read your food labels carefully and reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet. Choose only lean meats such as chicken, pork or fish.

In addition to eating a healthy diet, getting more exercise can help prevent colon cancers. The increase in physical activity will have your digestive system functioning better and will lead to an overall state of better health. There have also been studies that suggest taking an aspirin once a day can prevent colon cancer. And it goes without saying that if you smoke or engage in other high risk behaviors, you should stop to decrease your risk of cancer.

So it you are concerned about colon cancer, change your diet. Start eating a healthy, high fiber diet. Get plenty of exercise and drink more water. If you do these things, chances are your risk for colon cancer will decrease significantly.