If you have Crohn’s disease, you can lower your risk of colorectal cancer by seeing your healthcare provider regularly and following healthy lifestyle habits.
1. Get Regular Checkups
The earlier you find cancer, the easier it is to treat, so seeing your gastroenterologist at least once a year is a good idea. Cecchini also recommends regular colonoscopies to check for new growths or intestinal changes.
“With Crohn’s colitis [a form of Crohn’s that only affects the colon], it is typical to have a surveillance colonoscopy every one to two years, depending on individual risk factors,” says Hans. This is also the case if you’ve had Crohn’s for at least eight years. Sometimes, providers prefer high definition colonoscopies, which use dye spray and can find cell changes more easily.
2. Stop Smoking
If you want help quitting, you can find free resources from the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society.
3. Take Your Medications
“There are many FDA-approved biologic and small molecule therapies for Crohn’s disease that are effective in controlling inflammation, which can lead to remission, further reducing the risk of cancer,” says Hans. It’s important to take your medications, even if you’re feeling well, she says.
4. Eat a Nutritious Diet
Your diet plays a big role in how well you can keep Crohn’s inflammation at bay. “Fat and red meat can be hard to digest for individuals with Crohn’s disease, and can increase the risk of inflammation and colon cancer,” says Hans.
5. Move More
Regular exercise can also lower body weight, which will not only lessen your risk of CRC, but also improve your chances of survival if you develop it.
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