March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, as well as National Nutrition Month. Nutrition is an important part of taking care of your body to help prevent health problems. Proper nutrition is a combination of daily exercise and having the right diet.

Both factors are important for colorectal cancer awareness and overall colon health. One of the most overlooked areas of general health and wellness is the maintenance of colon function and colorectal cancer screening. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women. Poor colon health can lead to many other problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and chronic fatigue.

The colon stores and transports human waste material, creating an opportunity for prolonged waste storage to burden your entire body

Here, are some of the most common causes of colon problems:

• Not drinking enough water
• Eating too much sugar, white flour, or refined foods
• Lack of exercise
• Prescription drugs
• Food allergies
• Bacteria, viruses or parasites

Having your screenings done is essential for colon health, especially for people over the age of 50. In addition to cancer screening, there are many other steps you can take to improve your colon health such as stress reduction, increasing fiber in your diet, and making sure you stay hydrated. If you are unsure about your colon function, your Best Doctors benefit can help you eliminate uncertainty and add an expert perspective to the information you are gathering. For more information, call 866-904-0910 or visit bestdoctors.com.