4 ways to minimize risk of colon cancer

CHICAGO (WLS) -- March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and though it's the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, it's also highly preventable. Around 50,000 people in the US die from the disease each year. Many people think of colon cancer as a "man's disease," but it's also the third leading cause of female cancer deaths in the US.

If colorectal cancer is caught early, the chance of recovery is high, as much as 90 percent at five years with Stage 1 cancer. Because of this, it's especially important to raise awareness about the risks and get screened. To minimize risk, it's important to:

1) Eat a healthy, fiber-rich diet

2) Exercise regularly

3) Don't smoke

4) Participate in colorectal cancer screening

Dr. Jay Goldstein, of NorthShore University HealthSystem, spoke with us at the ABC 7 studios to discuss was to treat and prevent colon cancer.