Cancer Colon Cancer Prevention Natural Approaches to Colon Cancer Prevention By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong Facebook Twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 28, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Doru Paul, MD Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Jeremy Woodhouse / Blend Images / Getty Images There are a number of ways to help prevent colon cancer. In addition to receiving medical tests that help detect the disease early on, you can make lifestyle changes to reduce your colon cancer risk. 1:45 Tips For Preventing Colon Cancer Natural Remedies for Colon Cancer Prevention To date, few natural remedies or alternative therapies have been found to play a significant role in colon cancer prevention. However, preliminary research suggests that the following substances may help reduce colon cancer risk to some degree. Here's a look at some key study findings: Vitamin D High blood levels of vitamin D may be linked to a lower risk of colon cancer, according to a 2019 study. Analyzing data on 5706 people with colorectal cancer and 7107 healthy individuals, researchers determined that women with the highest levels of vitamin D had a statistically significant reduced risk of colon cancer compared to those with the lowest levels. For men the risk was reduced, but not to a statistically significant degree. Folate Making sure you consume enough food sources of folate (a B vitamin found in foods like spinach, asparagus, and fortified cereals) may lower your risk of colon cancer, according to a 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis. However, the research is mixed and more studies are needed. The recommended daily intake of folate is 400 micrograms (mcg) for most adults. Pregnant women should consume 600 mcg daily, while breastfeeding women should consume 500 mcg daily. Quercetin In lab tests on cell cultures, scientists have demonstrated that quercetin, an antioxidant found in tea, may help stall the growth of colon cancer. What's more, a 2012 population-based study of 2,664 people found that dietary intake of quercetin may be linked with reduced risk of colon cancer in the proximal colon (first and middle parts). However, this link was not found for colon cancer in the distal colon (last part) and was not seen in those who already had a high tea intake. Quercetin is available in supplement form and also naturally found in foods like apples, onions, and berries. Tea A lab study published in 2015 suggests that white tea may help inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells and protect normal cells against DNA damage. Green tea has also been found to fight colon cancer in animal-based research and test-tube studies. However, the available scientific data are insufficient to conclude that any type of tea may prevent colon cancer in humans. Other Approaches to Prevention To lower your risk of colon cancer, try these strategies recommended by the American Cancer Society: Screening Screening for colorectal cancer should begin at age 45 for all adults at average risk, but in some cases, earlier screening might be appropriate. People with a family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps, along with those who have inflammatory bowel disease should speak with their healthcare provider about their risk and when screening should begin. Clinical Guidelines for Screening In Spring 2021, both the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American College of Gastroenterology updated their respective clinical guidelines for colon cancer screening to start at age 45 instead of 50 due to increasing rates of colon cancer diagnoses under the age of 50. Healthy Diet Eating five or more servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables each day, choosing whole grains over processed grains, and cutting back on processed and red meats may help prevent colon cancer. Exercise For colon cancer prevention, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on five or more days of the week. Getting at least 45 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity five or more times weekly may further reduce your colon cancer risk. Limiting Alcohol Intake In addition to avoiding smoking, you should avoid or limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men. NSAIDs and Colon Cancer Prevention A number of studies suggest that people who regularly use aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a lower risk of colon cancer. However, since NSAIDs can cause serious side effects (including bleeding from stomach irritation), it's important to consult your healthcare provider before taking these drugs on a regular basis. In fact, the American Cancer Society notes that it "does not recommend taking NSAIDs just to lower colorectal cancer risk if you are someone at average risk." Causes of Colon Cancer In most cases, colon cancer begins with the formation of precancerous growths (polyps) that become cancerous over time. Although the cause of colon cancer is unknown, the following may increase the risk for the disease: Being over age 50 A family history of colon cancer or adenomatous polyps A personal history of polyps Having an inherited syndrome linked with colon cancer The presence of inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) Type 2 diabetes A diet high in red or processed meat Lack of physical activity Smoking cigarettes Drinking alcohol Race, particularly being Black Colon Cancer Risk by Race Studies have shown that Black Americans face the highest risk of non-hereditary colon cancer of any ethnic group in the United States, with colon cancer also being a leading cause of cancer-related death in this population.Black women are more likely to die from colorectal cancer than women from any other racial group, and Black men are even more likely to die from colorectal cancer than Black women. The reasons for these differences are unclear. Colon Cancer Symptoms Although colon cancer often produces no symptoms, some people with colon cancer may experience the following: A change in bowel habits (such as diarrhea or constipation) Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort Tenderness in the lower abdomen Rectal bleeding or bloody stool Intestinal obstruction Narrow stools Unexplained weight loss Unexplained anemia Fatigue If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Alternative Medicine and Colon Cancer Prevention Due to the lack of science behind their benefits, it's important not to rely solely on any of the above natural remedies as a means of colon cancer prevention. If you're considering using natural remedies, make sure to consult your healthcare provider first. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 15 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Mccullough ML, Zoltick ES, Weinstein SJ, et al. Circulating vitamin D and colorectal cancer risk: an international pooling project of 17 cohorts. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019;111(2):158-169. doi:10.1093/jnci/djy087 Moazzen S, Dolatkhah R, Tabrizi JS, et al. Folic acid intake and folate status and colorectal cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Nutrition. 2018;37(6):1926-1934. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2017.10.010 National Institutes of Health. Folate. Zhang X-A, Zhang S, Yin Q, Zhang J. Quercetin induces human colon cancer cells apoptosis by inhibiting the nuclear factor-kappa B Pathway. Phcog Mag. 2015;11(42):404. doi:10.4103/0973-1296.153096 Djuric Z, Severson RK, Kato I. Association of dietary quercetin with reduced risk of proximal colon cancer. Nutrition and Cancer. 2012;64(3):351-360. doi:10.1080/01635581.2012.658950 Hajiaghaalipour F, Kanthimathi MS, Sanusi J, Rajarajeswaran J. White tea (Camellia sinensis) inhibits proliferation of the colon cancer cell line, HT-29, activates caspases and protects DNA of normal cells against oxidative damage. Food Chemistry. 2015;169:401-410. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.07.005 American Cancer Society. Can colorectal cancer be prevented? U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What should I know about screening? Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al. ACG clinical guidelines: Colorectal cancer screening . Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar 1;116(3):458-479. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122. US Preventive Services Task Force, Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021 May 18;325(19):1965-1977. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.6238. Hamoya T, Fujii G, Miyamoto S, et al. Effects of NSAIDs on the risk factors of colorectal cancer: a mini review. Genes Environ. 2016;38:6. doi:10.1186/s41021-016-0033-0 American Cancer Society. Colorectal cancer risk factors. Augustus GJ, Ellis NA. Colorectal cancer disparity in African Americans: Risk factors and carcinogenic mechanisms. Am J Pathol. 2018 Feb;188(2):291-303. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.07.023. Fight Colorectal Cancer. Symptoms. American Cancer Society. Complementary and alternative methods and cancer.