Besides following a healthy lifestyle (see Advice from Altro Consumo), having a regular faecal occult blood screening is recommended in order to prevent colon cancer. If the result is positive, a follow-up colonoscopy would be necessary. The presence of blood in the faeces may indeed be a sign of a malignant tumour, before the appearance of symptoms, or a benign lesion, that may however become malignant over time. As with all screening, it is important that both the faecal blood exam and possible follow-up colonoscopies are carried out according to the correct schedule and involve the right people.

Advice from Altroconsumo

- Many studies demonstrate that a diet high in calories, high in red meat, and low in fibre is associated with an increase in intestinal tumours. By contrast, a diet characterized by a high consumption of fruit and vegetables seems to have a protective role.
- Dietary advice: reduce the consumption of red meat, particularly processed meats, consume at least three portions of vegetables and two portions of fruit a day, limit the consumption of processed or smoked foods (cold cuts included) as much as possible, limit alcohol to no more than one glass of wine per meal.
- It is important to lose weight if one is overweight.
- Physical activity has an important preventative effect; at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day is recommended.
- Finally, to facilitate early cancer diagnosis, it is important to follow the screenings suggested in the guidelines, starting with the faecal occult blood exam.

In collaboration with

AIGO - Hospital Gastroenterologists and Digestive Endoscopists