Ways to prevent colon cancer

Prevention cannot remove every cause of bowel cancer. It combines choices that support bowel health with screening that can find and remove some precancerous growths before they become cancer. Risk may also be influenced by age, family history, inherited conditions, previous bowel disease, smoking, alcohol use, body weight and activity level.

A clinician can help decide when screening should begin and which test is suitable. A colonoscopy lets the specialist inspect the bowel lining and remove selected polyps during the same procedure. Read more about [Colonoscopy](/treatments/cancer-screening/colonoscopy/).

Choose regular physical activity, eat a varied diet with fibre-rich plant foods, and limit processed meats, tobacco and alcohol. Aim for a weight that is healthy for you, and discuss long-term medicines or supplements before using them for prevention.

Know your family history, including relatives with bowel polyps or cancer. Keep screening appointments even when you feel well, because early bowel changes may cause no symptoms. New blood in the stool, a persistent change in bowel habit, or unexplained tiredness deserves medical review.

Arrange a clinical assessment for persistent rectal bleeding, a lasting change in stool shape or frequency, ongoing abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, or unusual fatigue. Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or a swollen abdomen with inability to pass stool or gas. These symptoms do not by themselves diagnose cancer, but they should not be ignored.

Ask when screening is appropriate for your age and family history, which test fits your health, and whether previous polyps or bowel conditions change the plan. You can also ask what symptoms should prompt an earlier appointment and how to make diet, activity, smoking or alcohol changes realistic.