By now you’ve probably heard us say colonoscopy screenings save lives.  And they do.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, yet colon cancer is highly preventable and treatable when found early.

We recommend routine colonoscopy screenings for patients over 50, or earlier for those with a family history or certain medical conditions.  There are also simple every-day steps you can take to reduce your risk of colon cancer and other diseases.  Use these eight tips from Unity Point Health in Iowa as a guide to lower your risk for developing colon cancer.