Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers and can affect both men and women. Factors that can increase your risk of getting colon cancer include a family history of the disease, old age and inflammatory bowel disease.  Symptoms of this disease include blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, change in bowel habits and fatigue. The idea of getting diagnosed with this disease is scary, but you can lower your risk. Here are five effective ways to prevent colon cancer:

Stop Smoking

Lung cancer is not the only type of cancer smoking causes. If you regularly smoke tobacco, you can increase your risk of many types of cancer, including colon cancer. Quitting this dangerous habit is not easy, so you may want to talk to your doctor. He or she can provide you with guidance on how you can quit this habit once and for all.

Cut Down on Alcohol

Alcohol is normally alright to drink in moderation, but you have to be careful not to drink too much. Having more than one or two alcoholic beverages once a day can increase your risk of colon cancer and other cancers. The next time you think about having an extra drink, just think about what it can do to your health.

Get Colonoscopies

Getting colonoscopies about every 10 years is one of the best ways to prevent colon cancer. During this procedure, a doctor will insert a small tube with a camera inside your colon to check for any abnormalities, like polyps or growths. If the doctor finds something suspicious, it can be removed before the cancer has a chance to spread to other parts of your body.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Carrying extra weight can increase your risk of several types of cancers, including colon cancer. If you are currently overweight, you should make an effort to lose the weight and become healthy. Limit junk food and fill your plates with nutritious foods like brown rice, fish, chicken and vegetables. Also, try to exercise most days of the week.

Don't Eat Too Much Red Meat

It's not a good idea to eat red meat more than a couple of times a week. Consuming large amounts of steak and pork can increase your chances of developing colon cancer in the future.

If you follow these helpful tips, you can lower your risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer.