Colon Health

Discover MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine, the largest biomedical library in the world. Use Medlineplus.gov anywhere, anytime, on any device - for free - to discover high-quality health and wellness information that is reliable, easy to understand, and free of advertising, in both English and Spanish.

Discover information on:

• Colorectal Cancer
• Colonoscopy in Multiple Languages

You also can use MyHeathfinder.gov to learn how to Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer.

Discover NIH

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems.

The National Cancer Institute drives the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cancer research enterprise by supporting and convening researchers, paying for facilities and systems, coordinating the National Cancer Plan, and more. 

^{Colon Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) Patient Version}

Discover More

Take the Quiz: Colorectal Cancer Don’t be fooled by rumors and misinformation about your colon. Get the facts. Test your knowledge of 6 common beliefs about colorectal cancer.

Lowering Colon Cancer Risk

While no cancer is preventable, many risk factors are under your control. Here are 6 ways to help lower your colorectal cancer risk:

1. Follow a diet high in fiber that includes lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and not much red and processed meats
2. Exercise regularly
3. Don’t smoke
4. Limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women
5. Learn your family medical history
6. Get screened for colorectal cancer by talking with your health care provider

^{Source: American Cancer Society}

On the Book Shelf

This book empowers you to be an attentive, thoughtful, and compassionate caregiver for your friend or family member with cancer. You’ll also find practical everyday advice for meeting your own physical and emotional needs while dealing with the unique challenges you face. The Caregiver's Guide to Cancer: Compassionate Advice for Caring for You and Your Loved One | Victoria Landes | Rockridge Press | 2021 | 178 pages | ISBN: 978-1648764196 | WorldCat

A children's book written to help parents be able to talk to their children about the heavy topic of cancer in a lighthearted way. Daddy Has an Owie: Explaining a Parent's Cancer to a Child | Tiffany Williford | Williford LLC | 2019 | 24 pages | ISBN: 978-1733870405 | WorldCat | Reading age 8 - 12 years

A "biography" of cancer from its origins to the epic battle to cure, control, and conquer it. A combination of medical history, cutting-edge science, and narrative journalism that transforms the listener's understanding of cancer and much of the world around them. The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer | Siddhartha Mukherjee | Scribner; 1st edition | 2011 | 608 pages | ISBN: 978-1439170915 | WorldCat | Discussion Questions

An authoritative yet practical reference manual that includes information on everything from healthy digestion to cancer treatment. Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health: How to Prevent and Treat Common Stomach and Gut Problems, Fourth Edition | Sahil Khanna, M.B.B.S. | Mayo Clinic Press | 2020 | 328 pages | ISBN: 978-1893005525 | WorldCat

Too Young for Colon Cancer? Think again. Chadwick Boseman's death at age 43 put a spotlight on the fact that colon cancer has been increasingly affecting younger adults over the past decade. The Prevent Cancer Foundation has even dedicated a campaign, Too Young for This Sh*t, to raise awareness.

_{Naik H, Johnson MDD, Johnson MR. Internet Interest in Colon Cancer Following the Death of Chadwick Boseman: Infoveillance Study. J Med Internet Res. 2021 Jun 15;23(6):e27052. doi: 10.2196/27052. PMID: 34128824; PMCID: PMC8277405.}