should you be screened for colorectal cancer?
Less than 50% of colorectal cancers in
Mesa County are diagnosed early. What can you do?
Mesa County are diagnosed early. What can you do?
SCREEN:
Regular screening, beginning at age 50, is key to detecting colorectal
cancer early – even if you don’t have symptoms.
Regular screening, beginning at age 50, is key to detecting colorectal
cancer early – even if you don’t have symptoms.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer include
blood in or on your stool, losing weight without knowing why and experiencing
stomach pain, aches or cramps that won’t go away.
blood in or on your stool, losing weight without knowing why and experiencing
stomach pain, aches or cramps that won’t go away.
UNDERSTAND
THE RISK FACTORS:
THE RISK FACTORS:
- You should be screened if:
- You or a close relative have had
colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer. - You have Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn’s disease
or ulcerative colitis. - You have genetic syndrome such as familial
adenomatous polyposis or hereditary
non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
LIFESTYLE:
You can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by exercising regularly,
eating a high-fiber and low-fat diet, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding
tobacco.
You can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by exercising regularly,
eating a high-fiber and low-fat diet, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding
tobacco.
Talk to your health care provider
about screening. Early detection is key in beating colorectal cancer.
about screening. Early detection is key in beating colorectal cancer.
Cooking healthy meals as a family forms good
eating habits
eating habits
- Almost 25% of Mesa County children are
overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk for heart disease, type 2
diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea and social discrimination, which can affect
mental health. - A healthy diet can reduce the risk of
childhood obesity. - Eating healthy doesn’t have to be
difficult or expensive and it can be fun! - Instead of thinking about foods you can’t eat, focus on all of the new
foods you can eat! - Get creative. Use different colors and
shapes to make nutritious meals more exciting. - Introduce one new fruit or vegetable
to your family every day. - Involve your kids in planning meals.
Make the grocery list together and cook together! - When looking for healthy options to
cook with your children, look for recipes that: - Include vegetables, fruits and
whole-grain food products. - Use low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy
products. - Call for lean meats, poultry, fish,
lentils and beans for protein. - Do
not include large quantities of sugar and/or saturated fat. - Healthy meals don’t always have to be
hot or home-cooked. - Try this dinner menu on your next
hectic night: whole-grain crackers, string cheese, apple slices, low-fat yogurt
and baby carrots. - Ready to find healthy recipes that work
for your family? - Try some of the recipes on the Healthy
Mesa County Pinterest page. - Visit Choosemyplate.gov for more information
about balanced diets for your family.